In his first speech as Prime Minister from Downing Street, Sir Keir Starmer provided insight into his government’s initial plans and priorities. Addressing the nation, Starmer revealed details of his first cabinet meeting and outlined his immediate agenda.

The Prime Minister underscored his mandate, noting his party’s majority in England, Wales, and Scotland, which he believes gives him authority to govern “all four corners of the United Kingdom.” To underscore this, Starmer announced a tour of all four UK nations, starting with Scotland tomorrow, followed by Northern Ireland, Wales, and concluding in England.

Starmer stressed his government’s readiness to enact change, stating, “We have been planning for months to hit the ground running.” He indicated that while some changes would be immediate, others would take time, acknowledging that “it is not an overnight exercise changing the country.”

Key points from the Prime Minister’s address and subsequent Q&A session include:

1. Commitment to government standards, with Starmer having already spoken to the government standards adviser.

2. Plans to establish “mission delivery boards” to drive necessary changes.

3. Intention to meet with metro mayors from all political parties.

4. Confirmation of his attendance at the upcoming NATO summit in Washington.

5. A pledge to prioritize the country over party interests.

When pressed on specific commitments for his first 100 days, Starmer avoided concrete examples but emphasized a shift in governmental mindset and highlighted initial work on NHS issues by Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

The Prime Minister also addressed several policy areas:

– Confirmed commitment to the £12bn compensation package for victims of the infected blood scandal.

– Reiterated the goal of spending 2.5% of GDP on defence, within fiscal constraints.

– Reported progress on the campaign promise of 40,000 additional NHS appointments, with work already underway in some hospitals.

Starmer concluded by stating that “self-interest is yesterday’s politics,” underscoring his desire for “a politics and a country that works for you.”

As the new government settles in, all eyes will be on Starmer and his cabinet to see how quickly and effectively they can implement their promised changes.