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The rain in London cleared for Sir Keir as he returned from Buckingham Palace to make his first speech as PM.<\/p>\n
He said a “weariness in the heart of a nation” had developed in recent years, likening a lack of trust in politicians to a \u201cwound\u201d.<\/p>\n
He added: “This lack of trust can only be healed by actions not words, I know that”.<\/p>\n
“But we can make a start today with the simple acknowledgement that public service is a privilege,” he added.<\/p>\n
Sir Keir’s path to No 10 followed a cautious campaign in which Labour made few new policy pledges and managed to largely retain the large polling lead over the Tories it began with when Mr Sunak called the election in May.<\/p>\n
This polling lead had remained steady since the disastrous premiership of Liz Truss, who lost her previously safe seat of South West Norfolk.<\/p>\n
Despite its resounding overall victory, Labour lost a number of former strongholds to independent candidates campaigning on pro-Gaza platforms.<\/p>\n
In one of the biggest shocks of the night, shadow minister Jonathan Ashworth lost his Leicester South seat, which had a majority of more than 22,000.<\/p>\n
Shadow culture secretary Thangam Debbonaire lost in Bristol Central to the Greens, who celebrated their most successful election night ever after winning four seats, up from the one they held in the last Parliament.<\/p>\n
And shadow health secretary Wes Streeting – one of Labour’s most high-profile figures during the campaign – saw his majority in Ilford North slashed from more than 9,000 to just 528.<\/p>\n
Mr Corbyn – standing as an independent after Sir Keir blocked him from standing again for the party he once led – was also returned in the North Islington seat he has represented since 1983, defeating Labour’s official candidate by 7,247.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Manifesto pledges<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Labour fought its campaign on a manifesto centred around boosting the UK’s sluggish rate of economic growth in recent years.<\/p>\n
It pledged to do this largely through changes to the planning system, and by making the country more attractive to inward investment.<\/p>\n
But against a difficult economic backdrop, party figures have admitted they face a challenge amid challenges to the public finances. <\/p>\n
The party has also promised to overhaul UK employment law, renationalise nearly all passenger rail and set up a state-owned energy investment and generation company, along with boosting green investment.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n