Keir Starmer of Labour Party becomes new UK PM; has promised better UK-India relations
Labour Party leader Keir Starmer has succeeded Rishi Sunak as the prime minister of the United Kingdom, following a decisive defeat for the Conservatives in the election conducted on Thursday, July 4.
Led by Starmer, so far, the centre-left Labour has won 412 seats while the Conservatives have slumped to just 120. A party needs 326 seats in the 650-member House of Commons to win. The centrist Liberal Democrats have taken 71. Reform UK, a successor to the Brexit Party, is set to pick up four seats, as are the left-wing Green Party.
Labour, out of power since 2010, has committed to a foreign policy of “progressive realism”, recognising the world’s volatility and addressing it accordingly, according to David Lammy, who is expected to become the foreign secretary.
The party has also vowed to “make Brexit work” and pursue ”an ambitious” security pact with the European Union.
A significant element of Starmer’s foreign policy is enhancing UK-India relations. Acknowledging past missteps, particularly Labour’s stance on issues like Kashmir, Starmer has pledged to establish a new strategic partnership with India.
His manifesto emphasised a commitment to a free trade agreement (FTA) and increased bilateral cooperation in technology, security, education and climate change to boost relations with one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
During his campaign, Starmer sought to repair strained ties with the Indian diaspora in the UK, condemning Hinduphobia and celebrating cultural festivals like Diwali and Holi. These efforts aim to build trust and inclusion within British-Indian communities, crucial to Labour’s electoral strategy.
