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Sir Keir Starmer used his first New Year’s message as British prime minister to promise “a year of rebuilding” for Britain in 2025, conceding: “There is still so much to do.”
In the first such message from a Labor prime minister in 15 years, Star signaled the challenges ahead, saying his administration had begun “the work of change.”
Despite a rocky start to his government, the Prime Minister highlighted early achievements including a record increase in the minimum wage, more returns of foreign criminals, significant investment in clean energy projects and more than £25 billion sterling intended for the National Health Service.
The first months of Starmer’s term were overshadowed by a row over gifts, a summer of race riots and an autumn budget that raised taxes by £40 billion a year.
WorkThe Conservative Party’s landslide victory in the July election gave it 411 seats and almost total control of the House of Commons, while reducing the Conservative party to just 119 MPs after 14 years in power.
Yet the last set of opinion polls showed Labor languishing at just 27 percent, with the Conservatives not far behind on 25 percent and Britain’s right-wing Reform Party closing the gap on 22 percent.
Now Downing Street hopes it can win over a skeptical public by tackling real-world issues such as reducing NHS waiting lists, building more homes and implementing more energy schemes green.
“For many people it’s hard to think about the future when you spend all your time struggling to get through the week,” Starmer said.
“So I want to be clear. Until you can look forward and believe again in the promise and prosperity of Britain, then this Government will fight for you. . . every waking hour.
The Prime Minister is on holiday for the first time since the general election, having delayed his short break following the death of his brother Nick on Boxing Day.
Starmer reiterated his central aims of 1.5 million new homes, creating a more secure energy system, improving preschool support, reducing health waiting lists, reducing immigration and tackling anti-social behavior in communities.
“That’s what we’re going to focus on.” A year of reconstruction. . . a nation that gets things done. No matter how harsh the circumstances,” he said.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she would usher in a “period of change” for her party. “This process of renewal will be a long-term project,” she said in her New Year’s message. “Things may be bumpy along the way, but the party I lead today is going to do things differently. Watch this space.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage – who won just five seats in July’s election but has since risen in the polls – used his New Year’s message to espouse his values of “family, community and country”, promising to make Britain a “better place”. “.
Farage said he started 2024 in “semi-retirement” with two grandchildren on the way.
But he was inspired to return to frontline politics by his desire for “proper border controls”, to tackle the cost of living crisis and to scale back net zero climate initiatives.
“Everyone recognizes that we have had a real impact over the last six months,” he said. “We believe we can turn this country around 180 degrees and make Britain a much better place.”
Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, who won 72 seats in July – the party’s biggest victory in its 36-year history – called on the government to implement “real change” across the board. , from the NHS to care to Europe and political reform. .
Davey said he had “real hope” for 2025, but warned of “so much instability and insecurity – all of which was made worse by Donald Trump’s victory in November”.
