LONDON (UK) – Keir Starmer elected as Britain’s main opposition Labour Party’s leader pledging to end years of bitter infighting. They intend to work alongside the government to contain the coronavirus pandemic.
Starmer is a former director of public prosecutions known for attention to detail as he opposed Britain’s exit from the bloc, which won with 56% of the vote.
The defeat of outgoing leader Jeremy Corbyn and the election of Angela Rayner as his deputy marks the end of the party leadership’s embrace of radical socialism, crushed in the December election.
Starmer takes over immediately and has pledged to work constructively with the government testing Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s arguments and challenging their failures.
“Our purpose when we do that is the same as the government’s, to save lives. In their courage and their sacrifice and their bravery, we can see a better future. This crisis has brought out the resilience and human spirit in all of us.”
– Keir Starmer, Labour Party leader
Starmer said that once the country defeats the coronavirus battle, a fairer society needs to be built where key workers on the front get decently paid and better opportunities.
Johnson congratulated Starmer on Twitter and the two met grounds on the importance of working together. Starmer acknowledged the task that lays ahead of him.
“This is my pledge to the British people. I will do my utmost to guide us through these difficult times, to serve all of our communities and to strive for the good of our country. I will lead this great party into a new era, with confidence and with hope.”
– Keir Starmer, Labour Party leader
(Photos syndicated via Reuters)
This story has been edited by BH staff and is published from a syndicated field.