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Sir Keir Starmer used his first New Year's message as UK prime minister to promise a “year of rebuilding” Britain in 2025, saying: “There is still a lot to do.”
In the first such message by a Labor prime minister in 15 years, Starmer he indicated the challenges ahead by saying that his administration had embarked on a “transformational mission”.
Despite an auspicious start to his government, the prime minister outlined early successes, including a record increase in the minimum wage, more repatriation of foreign criminals, major investment in clean energy projects and £25bn put into the National Health Service.
The first months of Starmer's premiership have been overshadowed by a row of freebies, a summer of racial violence and an Autumn Budget that raised taxes by £40bn a year.
Work's triumphant victory in July gave him 411 seats and almost all command of the House of Commons while reducing the Conservative party to just 119 MPs after 14 years in power.
But the latest aggregate opinion polls it showed Labor lacking at just 27 percent, with the Tories not far behind at 25 percent and right-wing Reform UK closing the gap at 22 percent.
Now, Downing Street is hoping to win over a skeptical public by bringing forward concrete issues such as cutting NHS waiting lists, getting more homes built and introducing more green energy schemes.
“For a lot of people it's hard to think about the future when you spend all your time fighting to get through the week,” Starmer said.
“So I want to be clear. Until you look forward and believe in the promise and prosperity of Britain again, this government will fight for you. . . every time we wake up.”
The Prime Minister is on her first holiday since the general election, delaying her short break following the death of her brother Nick on Boxing Day.
Starmer also reiterated his main goals of 1.5mn new homes, creating a more secure energy system, improving pre-school support, reducing health care waiting lists, reducing immigration and dealing with anti-social behavior.
“That's what we're going to focus on. A year of rebuilding. . . a nation that makes things happen. “No matter how difficult or difficult the circumstances are,” he said.
Nigel Farage, the leader of the reform of the UK – who won only five seats in the July elections but has already entered the polls – used his New Year's message to support his values of “family, community and country”, promising to make Britain “a better place.”.
Farage said he started 2024 in “semi-retirement” with two grandchildren on the way.
But he was inspired to return to earlier politics by his desire for “proper border management”, addressing the cost of living crisis and limiting climate initiatives.
“Everyone agrees that we've made a real impact in the last six months,” he said. “We believe we can turn this country around 180 degrees and make Britain a better place.”