First Speech As Prime Minister, Starmer Promises To Direct Britain To 'Calmer Waters'

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his inaugural address at Downing Street 10. (Source: Screenshot of NBC News)

JAKARTA - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised his predecessor Rishi Sunak for giving his first speech at Downing Street 10, after meeting King Charles III.

PM Starmer admitted that his predecessor Sunak made extra efforts when he became the first Asian prime minister in the country.

PM Starmer said the country chose "firmly for changes and the return of politics to public services."

"When the gap between the sacrifices made by the people and the services they receive from politicians grows this big, it causes fatigue in the hearts of a nation, the exhaustion of hope, passion, confidence in a better future, which we need to move forward together," said PM Starmer., reported CNN July 5.

This wound, said Starmer, "can only be cured with action, not words."

He said he intended to start working immediately "with a simple confession, public services are a privilege and this government should treat everyone in the country with respect."

Closing his speech, PM Starmer promised to direct the UK towards a "silenter waters" after the 14-year Conservative government that has often been volatile.

"If I asked now if you believed that Britain would be better for your children, I knew many of you would say no," he said, pledging to fight "until you believe again."

PM Starmer said his government would try to "opposite, secretly, those who have crossed out our country. You have given us a clear mandate, and we will use it to provide change, to restore services and respect for politics, end a noisy era of performance, step more carefully in your life, and unite our country," said PM Starmer.

He said the four countries in Great Britain would unite as they faced "unsafe world challenges, committed to rebuilding in peace and patience."

"With respect and humility, I invite all of you to join the government that serves this in a national update mission. Our work is urgent, and we start today," he concluded.