Keir Starmer's speech on fixing the foundations of our country: 27 August 2024
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a talk about strengthening the core values of our nation.
When I was on the stairs of Downing Street - in that direction - a couple of months ago.
I pledged that this administration would work for individuals such as yourself.
Trainees. Educators. Medical care providers. Entrepreneurs. Emergency responders.
People who help our community and our nation on a daily basis.
I assured that we would handle the issues we are dealing with.
And that our behavior would be used to evaluate us, rather than our spoken language.
I mentioned prior to the election - and I want to reiterate that point today very directly:
And to be honest, when I say that, I am referring to generating wealth...
Ensuring the safety and well-being of our citizens is the top concern for this administration.
That is the reason why, at the beginning of our first weeks, we established the National Wealth Fund.
We aim for everyone and every community to receive benefits.
That's why we have made planning decisions available -
Since we will be constructing 1.5 million additional residences.
That's why we created Great British Energy -
To generate quality employment opportunities and reduce individuals' expenses.
That's why we decided to stop the nationwide strikes that have been causing serious problems in our country for a long time.
Because I challenge anyone to convince me that it is possible to boost the economy...
when individuals are unable to reach their workplace due to the malfunctioning transportation system.
Or they are unable to go back to work because they are trapped on a waiting list for the NHS.
These initial actions are just the beginning of the transformation that the majority of people chose through their votes.
The transformation I am committed to achieving.
However, prior to the election, I also issued a caution.
I mentioned that change would take some time to happen.
If there is significant decay within a building's core, simply concealing it is not a solution.
You cannot fiddle with it or depend on temporary solutions.
You need to completely revamp everything.
Get to the root of the problem.
Despite the additional effort and time required.
What occurs if not?
In the usual locations.
You're aware of that - I'm aware of that.
That is the reason why this project has always been focused on repairing the fundamental aspects of this nation.
However, I need to be truthful with you.
The situation is more serious than we could have ever thought.
During the initial weeks, we found out about a £22 billion gap in the government's budget.
And before anyone accuses me of just putting on a show.
The OBR was unaware of this.
They penned a message indicating their lack of knowledge.
just this past Wednesday, we learned that
In the past three months, we borrowed nearly £5 billion more than what the OBR predicted.
That's not just for show - that's the truth.
However, in addition to the interesting findings we have made, we have also witnessed some disturbing events throughout the country.
A small group of troublemakers who believed they could cause a disturbance without consequences.
Destroying neighborhoods and frightening marginalized groups.
Damaging and wrecking things that belong to others.
Even attempting to ignite a structure where people are present.
And if that wasn't bad enough.
Individuals showcasing tattoos of the swastika symbol.
Yelling offensive comments about someone's race in public places.
Nazi gestures at the war memorial site
The cenotaph is a sacred memorial where we pay tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
In the guise - and it is merely a guise - of 'valid protest'.
Now they are realizing that there are repercussions for committing crimes.
I will not accept chaos and disobedience of the law under any situation.
I won't pay attention to those who take advantage of families who are mourning and show disrespect to the people in nearby neighborhoods.
However, these protests did not occur in isolation.
They revealed the condition of our nation.
Exposed a society that is severely unwell.
The weaknesses in our base exposed -
Suffering from ten years of separation and deterioration.
Caught in a cycle of populism...
That thrived on patterns of unsuccessful attempts
Trapped in the routine of striving for success in politics.
I witnessed the start of that decline myself.
During the violent disturbances that spread through London and other parts of the country.
I was the head of public prosecution at that time.
Reflecting on that period had me reminiscing.
I can really see how much we have declined.
Dealing with the chaos of the riots was definitely challenging - there's no denying that.
However, handling the riots that occurred this summer was significantly more challenging.
In 2011, I had full confidence in the judiciary's ability to fulfill their responsibilities.
This time, to be clear, I truly had no idea.
I want to share with you something. Each day of that chaos - every single day - we needed to keep track of the exact amount of prison spots we had and their locations.
To ensure we could apprehend, charge, and legally pursue individuals promptly.
The lack of sufficient prison capacities is a major and fundamental problem.
And those individuals hurling stones, setting vehicles on fire, and issuing threats.
They were fully aware that the system was flawed.
They believed, "Oh, they will never catch me."
If they do, I will not face legal action.
If I am caught, the punishment will likely be minimal.
They noticed the divisions in our community following 14 years of populism and unsuccessful policies - and they took advantage of them.
This is what has been passed down to us.
More than just a financial sink.
A place in society where everything seems to get sucked in and lost.
This is why we need to make changes and approach things in a new way.
One aspect of that is being truthful with others - about the decisions we need to make.
And how challenging this will be.
Honestly, things are going to deteriorate before they improve.
I was not in favor of letting prisoners go ahead of schedule.
I served as the top prosecutor for a period of five years.
It goes against everything I have ever done.
But to be perfectly honest - if we hadn't made that tough choice right away.
We wouldn't have been able to react to the riots in the same way.
If we don't take decisive action in all areas.
We will not be able to properly address the core issues facing our nation.
I didn't want to subject the Winter Fuel Payment to income testing.
But we had to make a decision.
A decision to safeguard elderly individuals who are most at risk.
while attending to the needed actions to restore the state of public finances.
Since senior citizens also depend on a working National Health Service (NHS).
They desire for their kids to have the ability to purchase their own houses.
They desire for their grandchildren to receive a quality education.
We have come to a challenging conclusion -
Repairing the nation's budget.
So everyone reaps the benefits in the long run -
It can be challenging to find a balance in this situation.
And there are still more things to look forward to.
I will not hesitate to make controversial choices now...
If it benefits the nation in the future.
This is the true essence of a service-oriented government.
This country should not be a place where people are afraid to walk on their own street.
They have television sets that display images of cars and buildings being lit ablaze.
This country should not be a place where the Prime Minister is unable to ensure there are enough prison spaces.
This country should not have a situation where individuals are spending thousands extra on their home loan.
Or enduring lengthy delays for essential medical appointments at hospitals.
Where our bodies of water are full of waste.
Parents are concerned that their children may not have the same chances that they had.
When everything appears to be failing.
When discussing the legacy that the previous administration left behind...
The massive deficit of £22 billion in our budget...
This is not about a point on a chart.
This is all about the lives of individuals.
This administration may not be flawless, but I can guarantee you one thing:
You will be right in the middle of everything...
At the forefront of our thoughts...
At the heart of all our actions.
That is the reason I wanted to bring you here today.
To demonstrate that the upstanding, diligent individuals who form the foundation of this nation have a rightful place here.
This administration is here to serve you.
A garden and a structure that were previously utilized for gatherings during quarantine...
Do you recall the images right there? With the wine and the food.
We are now available to assist you once again.
Things occurred specifically because the government became distracted.
The blog focuses on the aspirations and goals of individuals who are employed.
In the midst of the recent unrest, I made significant requests...
about law enforcement and the legal system
People are already at their breaking point.
They were aware that I was requesting a lot from them.
I refuse to apologize for it.
However, I must say, they came through.
They are worthy of our thanks.
That's the reason I decided to visit Southport...
To show my appreciation in person. To greet and thank the emergency workers who responded to my request.
They are entitled to have a government that believes in them.
He collaborates with them and completes projects together.
This is the type of government we aim to become.
Someone who collaborates with individuals, rather than imposes their will on them.
Someone who values hard work over quick fixes.
Truthful about the obstacles we encounter...
And putting in endless effort to address them.
This is how we will consistently operate.
Soon, in the coming week, parliament will be back in session.
Politics will start up again.
However, things will not be running in the same way as they usually do.
We can't continue in this manner any longer.
Tasks will need to be approached in a new way.
We will put in the effort to uncover and address the 14 years of decay.
Turn around ten years of decreasing.
Repair the base.
From now until Christmas, we will continue in the same way we began.
We will pass laws and make choices to safeguard the funds of taxpayers.
To tackle obstacles by speeding up the planning process.
Construct houses and stimulate development.
In the coming fall season, we will continue to explore the complete capabilities of artificial intelligence.
for advancement and the benefit of society.
We are going to transfer the rail service to government control, prioritizing the needs of passengers.
The most significant improvement in workers' rights in decades, aiming to provide employees with stability, honor, and fairness in the workplace.
Great British Energy will be owned and operated by the public, generating revenue for the public.
Generating renewable energy and facilitating employment opportunities.
That's what we'll be focusing on for the remainder of the year.
However, I will tell you the truth.
There will be a budget in October.
and it's going to be agonizing.
We must make the best of our current circumstances as there are no alternatives available.
Therefore, those who are more capable should take on the greater responsibility.
That is the reason we are taking strict action against individuals who are not domiciled in this country.
The individuals responsible for creating the mess should take responsibility and contribute to cleaning it up.
That is why we are enhancing the authority of the water regulatory agency.
We are supporting the implementation of strict penalties for water companies that have allowed sewage to overflow into our rivers, lakes, and oceans.
When I addressed the riots -
I will need to rely on the community and request their assistance.
Enduring brief discomfort now for future benefits.
The challenging decision to find a real answer.
I understand that considering everything you have experienced, this request may seem overwhelming and hard to accept.
This is not the situation we should find ourselves in.
I don't want to be in this situation.
However, we must put an end to the simplistic solutions in politics that do not address any real issues.
However, I am also aware that we can overcome this challenge by working as a team.
Because the riots not only revealed the illness.
They also unveiled the remedy.
Discovered not in the negative tension of populism.
However, in the uniting of a nation.
The individuals who gathered the following morning.
Everywhere in the nation.
With their sweeping tools, their digging tools, and their small handheld tools.
And improved their neighborhood.
They served as a reminder of our true selves.
I felt a strong sense of pride for the individuals who took the initiative to tidy up the streets.
I couldn't stop pondering the clear similarities.
Just think about how proud we will be as a country.
After finishing the difficult task of cleaning up the mess.
We have a nation that we have constructed as a team.
That is the property of each and every one of us.
And we all have a vested interest in the matter.
We have been rewarded for our hard work with abundance.
Because we will create a thriving economy that benefits all individuals.
The NHS is not only recovered, but also prepared for what lies ahead.
Safe streets for all to walk freely.
No more relying on foreign rulers...
Our ability to generate our own sustainable power on site is the reason we can provide clean energy.
And providing each child - no matter their background.
The opportunity - to reach their full potential and see how far their skills can go.
I will keep my eyes on the goal.
I will not forget our purpose for being chosen.
And most importantly - I will not forget about the individuals we were chosen to represent.
This land belongs to us.
Let's work on it - as a team.
