GovWire

Good afternoon

I have just returned from Buckingham Palace

Where I accepted an invitation from His Majesty the King

To form the next government of this great nation.

I want to thank the outgoing Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak.

His achievement as the first British Asian Prime Minister of our country

The extra effort that will have required

Should not be underestimated by anyone.

We pay tribute to that today

And we also recognise the dedication and hard work he brought to his leadership.

But now our country has voted, decisively

For change.

For national renewal.

And a return of politics to public service.

When the gap between the sacrifices made by people

And the service they receive from politicians

Grows thisbig.

It leads to a weariness in the heart of a nation.

A draining away of the hope, the spirit, the belief in a better future

That we need to move forward, together.

Now, this wound

This lack of trust

Can only be healed by actions not words

I know that.

But we can make a start today

With the simple acknowledgment

That public service is a privilege.

And that your government should treat every single person in this country

With respect.

If you voted for Labour yesterday

We will carry the responsibility of your trust, as we rebuild our country.

But whether you voted Labour or not

In fact - especially if you did not

I say to you, directly

My government will serveyou.

Politics can be a force for good - we will show that.

And that is how we will govern.

Country first, party second.

Yet, if Im honest

Service is merely a pre-condition for hope.

And it is surely clear to everyone

That our country needs a bigger reset

A rediscovery of who we are.

Because no matter how fierce the storms of history

One of the great strengths of this nation

Has always been our ability to navigate a way through to calmer waters.

And yet this depends upon politicians

Particularly those who stand for stability and moderation - as I do

Recognising when we must change course.

For too long now

We have turned a blind eye as millions slid into greater insecurity.

Nurses, builders, drivers, carers

People doing the right thing

Working harder than ever

Recognised - at moments like this, before.

Yet as soon as the cameras stop rolling

Their lives are ignored.

I want to say very clearly to those people - not this time.

Changing a country is not like flicking a switch

And the worldis now a more volatile place.

This will take a while.

But have no doubt that the work of change begins - immediately.

Have no doubt - that we will rebuild Britain

With wealth created in every community.

Our NHS back on its feet, facing the future.

Secure borders

Safer streets

Everyone treated with dignity and respect at work.

The opportunity of clean British power

Cutting your energy bills for good.

And, brick by brick

We will rebuild the infrastructure of opportunity

The world class schools and colleges

The affordable homes that I know

Are the ingredients of hope for working people

The security that working class families like mine

Could build their lives around.

Because if I asked you, now

Whether you believe that Britain will be better for your children

I know - too many of you would say: no.

And so my government will fight, every day

Until you believe again.

From now on

You have a government unburdened by doctrine

Guided only by a determination to serve your interests

To defy, quietly

Those who have written our country off.

You have given us a clear mandate

And we will use it to deliver change

To restore service and respect to politics

End the era of noisy performance

Tread more lightly on your lives

And unite our country.

Four nations

Standing together again

Facing down, as we have so often in our past

The challenges of an insecure world

Committed - to a calm and patient rebuilding.

So with respect and humility

I invite you all

To join this government of service

In the mission of national renewal.

Our work is urgent

And we begin it today.