Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria settle into No10 after historic win

Starmer to hold first Cabinet meeting

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is to hold the first meeting of his new Cabinet as he looks to start working on Labour’s manifesto pledges and preparing for a Nato summit next week.

Sir Keir made a raft of appointments on his first day at Number 10 and spoke with international leaders, including US President Joe Biden.

The Prime Minister confirmed Rachel Reeves as Britain’s first woman chancellor, Yvette Cooper as Home Secretary and David Lammy as Foreign Secretary.

Angela Rayner officially became his Deputy Prime Minister and retained the levelling up, housing and communities brief.

The new prime minister and his wife have children

The couple have two children together: a son named Toby and a daughter whose name has not been publicly disclosed.

They are reportedly raising their children in their mother’s Jewish faith.

They live together in Camden, within Sir Keir’s constituency of Holborn and St Pancras.

Meet Sir Keir’s wife Victoria

Victoria Starmer, also known as Lady Victoria Starmer, transitioned from a solicitor to working in NHS occupational health.

She is married to British politician Sir Keir Starmer.

Despite her husband’s high-profile political career, she intends to maintain her role within the NHS, a commitment Sir Keir has affirmed, saying, “She wants to and she loves it.”

The couple reportedly met in the early 2000s and married in 2007. Victoria made her first public appearance as the wife of the then-new Labour leader when they were filmed clapping for the NHS in 2020 outside their home in Camden, North London.

A look at Sir Keir’s political views

Here’s a breakdown of some of Sir Keir’s political views:

About Sir Keir Starmer

Keir Starmer is a barrister and politician from London. Before entering politics, he practised as a human rights lawyer and co-founded Doughty Street Chambers in 1990.

The barrister has been involved in efforts to abolish the death penalty in the Caribbean, Africa, and most recently in Taiwan.

He also served as a human rights adviser to the Policing Board in Northern Ireland, overseeing the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s (PSNI) compliance with the Human Rights Act.

In 2008, he was appointed Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) and Head of the Crown Prosecution Service for England and Wales.

In 2014, he received a knighthood for his “services to law and criminal justice,” although he prefers not to be addressed as “sir.”

He has now been elected as Prime Minister.

New prime minister speaks out

Sir Keir Starmer was announced as Britain’s next Prime Minister on Friday.

In a jubilant speech that drew rapturous applause from supporters, Sir Keir proclaimed that the UK was waking up to “the sunlight of hope.”

The buoyant Labour leader declared “We did it” and passionately urged, “change begins now,” delivering his victory speech in London.

Sunak admits defeat after ‘sobering verdict’

Despite holding onto his seat, Sunak acknowledged the electorate’s “sobering verdict” and conceded defeat to Labour, pledging a smooth transition of power.

He said: “The Labour Party has won this General Election. And I have called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory.

“Today power will change hands in a peaceful and orderly manner with goodwill on all sides.

“That is something that should give us all confidence in our country’s stability, and future.”

Look back at previous elections

Cleverly retains his seat

Home Secretary James Cleverley successfully retained his seat in Braintree, securing 35.5 percent of the vote share.

He expressed gratitude on X this morning, stating: “Huge thank you to the people of the Braintree constituency for returning me as your Member of Parliament.”

“It is a privilege to serve,” he continued.

Losses to Labour

Labour secured another victory as Minister of State for Veterans’ Affairs Johnny Mercer lost to them in Plymouth Moor View.

UK Minister of State for Northern Ireland Steve Baker also faced defeat, losing his Wycombe seat to Labour’s Emma Reynolds.

On a different note, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt narrowly retained his seat in South West Surrey, while former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak successfully defended Richmond and Northallerton.

Four officials lose their seats

In rapid succession just before 4am, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan, Tory Deputy Chairman Jonathan Gullis and Chief Whip Simon Hart were all defeated in their constituencies.

Justice Secretary Alex Chalk and Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer also faced electoral defeat.

Additionally, Treasury Minister Bim Afolami lost his seat in Hitchin to Labour.

326 seats secured in election

Labour swept into Downing Street after securing the necessary 326 seats, while the Conservatives faced widespread losses across the UK.

The evening saw the first upset with Shapps losing to Labour in Welwyn Hatfield.

Mordaunt appeared visibly disappointed as she conceded Portsmouth North to Labour’s Amanda Martin by a narrow margin of 780 votes.

Meanwhile, Conservative stalwart Rees-Mogg was left reeling by a surprising defeat in Bath earlier in the morning.

Truss loses seat

In a surprising turn of events, Liz Truss lost her seat in Norfolk South West, traditionally a safe Conservative stronghold.

Labour’s Terry Jeremy clinched victory with 11,847 votes, narrowly defeating the former Prime Minister, who garnered 11,217 votes.

Among the casualties were Defence Secretary Shapps and Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt, both expected contenders for the leadership, alongside nine other Cabinet ministers who also lost their seats in the election.

How did your area vote?

The electoral map changed massively last night, as Labour stormed into power with a massive majority.

If you wanted to know how your area voted in this generation-defining general election, it couldn’t be easier.

Simply head to our story below to check out our interactive map…

Which Tory big beasts have been ousted?

The Tories lost a dozen big beasts in the crushing election defeat.

Jacob Rees-Mogg was ousted by Labour in North Somerset.

Other senior casualties include Mark Harper, Grant Shapps, Penny Mordaunt and Lucy Frazer.

Sir Robert Buckland, Alex Chalk and Gillian Keegan are also gone.

World leaders congratulate Starmer on landside victory

World leaders have shared their congratulations with Sir Keir Starmer after he was named the UK’s new PM.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said: “I am delighted about the election victory of the leader of our sister party in the UK.

“I know Keir Starmer personally, we have often met and talked. He will be a very good, very successful prime minister… I also have the impression that we won’t have much trouble developing relations between Europe and the UK and between Germany and the UK.”

While Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg told press: “I will congratulate Keir Starmer on his election. I look forward to welcoming him and meeting him at the NATO summit in Washington next week.

“I have met Keir Starmer here at the NATO headquarters and I know that he is a strong supporter of NATO, of the transatlantic alliance and also committed to ensuring that United Kingdom continues to be a strong and very committed NATO ally.”

Prime minister of Estonia Kaja Kallas shared a message highlighting “common security” goals.

He said: “Congratulations on your historic election victory, (Sir Keir).

“Estonia and the UK are the strongest of allies and the closest of friends. The UK’s commitment to our common security is valued by every Estonian.

“I’m sure our excellent cooperation will only continue to thrive.”

Pictured: Starmer’s first day as PM

Five pro-Palestine MPs shock Labour

Five MPs who put Gaza at the heart of their campaigns have shocked Labour to cause huge upsets.

Among them was the unexpected loss of the Shadow Paymaster General Jonathan Ashworth in Leicester East, while ex-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn held on to Islington North.

• Here they are…
• Shockat Adam (Leicester South)
• Ayoub Khan (Birmingham Perry Barr)
• Adnan Hussain (Blackburn)
• Iqbal Mohamed (Dewsbury and Batley)
• Jeremy Corbyn (Islington North)

President Zelensky sends Starmer his support

Ukraine’s President Zelensky has congratulated Sir Keir Starmer on becoming the UK’s 58th prime minister.

He said: “Ukraine and the United Kingdom have been and will continue to be reliable allies through thick and thin.

“We will continue to defend and advance our common values of life, freedom, and a rules-based international order.

“I wish the incoming government every success both in domestic affairs and in solidifying the UK’s leadership on the world stage.

“I look forward to working closely together on strengthening the Ukraine-UK partnership and restoring international peace and security.”

Trump sends his congratualtions to Farage

The former US President Donald Trump has congratulated his friend Nigel Farage on taking a seat in Clacton, and even dropped the Reform party.

The Republican nominee for the White House said on his Truth Social platform: “Congratulations to Nigel Farage on his big WIN of a Parliament Seat Amid Reform UK Election Success.

“Nigel is a man who truly loves his Country! DJT”

What did Rishi say in his resignation speech?

Standing outside 10 Downing Street, Mr Sunak said: “I would like to say first and foremost, I am sorry.

“I have given this job my all.

“But you have sent a clear signal that the government of the United Kingdom must change.

“And yours is the only judgement that matters.”

“I have heard your anger, your disappointment, and I take responsibility for this loss.”

The ex-PM hailed “just how unremarkable it is that two generations after my grandparents came here with little I could become prime minister”.

All the latest from a historic election night

• Keir Starmer has become Britain’s next Prime Minister after Labour got 412 seats amid a brutal Tory wipeout.
• He promised to lead a Labour party grounded in “public service” in his first speech as PM in front of a jubilant crowd at No 10.
• Sir Keir will now appoint his cabinet as he cracks on with his plan for change.
• Rishi Sunak admitted defeat earlier on the steps of Downing Street and apologised to the nation for his party’s failures.
• Tory big beasts including former PM Liz Truss and ex-Defence Secretary Grant Shapps have lost seats after a nightmare night for Conservatives.
• He was followed by Leader of the House Penny Mordaunt, one of eight Cabinet ministers have lost their seats
• Nigel Farage’s Reform party claimed an unprecedented four seats as they grabbed votes from the Tories.
• Tory defector Lee Anderson claimed the first Reform seat, followed by Farage, Richard Tice, and Rupert Lowe.
• Sir Keir’s predecessor Jeremy Corbyn, now standing as an independent, also held onto Islington North
• All eyes are now on our new PM with Piers Morgan telling our Never Mind The Ballots election show that Sir Keir MUST deliver real change after the Tory disaster

How did Keir and Victoria Starmer meet?

Keir and Victoria Starmer met during their work as solicitors.

In an interview with Piers Morgan he said:”I was doing a case in court and it all depended on whether the documents were accurate.

“I [asked my colleagues] who actually drew up these documents, they said a woman called Victoria, so I said let’s get her on the line.”

Victoria hung up on him during the call and was heard mumbling: “Who the f*** does he think he is?”

He then asked her out on a date to a pub in Camden.

And a few years later in 2007, the pair married.

Who is Keir Starmer’s wife Victoria?

Victoria Starmer, also known as Lady Victoria Starmer, is a former solicitor turned NHS occupational health worker and the wife of British politician Keir Starmer.

Despite her husband’s prominent political career, she plans to continue her work with the NHS, if he should become Prime Minister.

A commitment Keir Starmer has confirmed, stating, “She wants to and she loves it.”

The pair both reportedly met in the early 2000s, before they later tied the knot in 2007.

She made her first appearance as the then-new Labour leader’s wife when the pair were filmed clapping for the NHS in 2020, outside their Camden home in North London.