- Labour returns to government side of UK Parliament after 14 years.
- Keir Starmer addresses parliament, emphasizing a new era of politics.
- Session highlights record diversity in parliament with increased representation of women and minorities.
In a historic session at the UK Parliament, Labour lawmakers enthusiastically filled the government benches following a landslide election victory last week, marking their return to the ruling side after a 14-year absence.
Over 400 Labour MPs crowded onto the green-benched House of Commons, with many standing due to limited space, as parliament resumed its proceedings post the dissolution before Thursday’s decisive vote.
Keir Starmer, inaugurated as Britain’s new Prime Minister, delivered his maiden speech to the house, pledging to transform politics into a force for positive change, aiming to end self-serving tendencies that have characterized recent politics.
“This parliament represents the most diverse by race and gender in our country’s history,” Starmer remarked, acknowledging the record-breaking presence of 263 female MPs, constituting 40% of the 650-member parliament, up from 220 in 2019. Additionally, 90 MPs hail from minority ethnic backgrounds, a notable increase from 66 five years ago.
Former Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, now leader of the opposition, extended congratulations to Starmer and emphasized the honor and responsibility of serving as an MP in a congenial session that contrasted sharply with typical contentious debates.
The session commenced with the unanimous re-election of Lindsay Hoyle as Speaker of the House, a tradition marked by the physical escort of the Speaker to the chair by colleagues, symbolizing the historical role of conveying parliament’s sentiments to the monarch.
Following addresses by Starmer and Sunak, other party leaders, including Nigel Farage of the Reform UK party, had their turn, with Farage highlighting his party’s emergence with five MPs as “the new kids on the block.”
The parliamentary session underscored a significant shift in UK politics with Labour’s return to governing roles, promising a new era characterized by diversity, congeniality, and a renewed commitment to public service.
