A new era of government, and a distinctly more upbeat mood: on Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer cut the figure of a prime minister enthralled with the job, rather than weighed down by the weight of it. And so he should be. He is one of the most powerful post-war prime ministers this country has seen.
Having won a huge majority , he has now set out a huge programme for government in a King's Speech that contained 40 bills - double the average of such speeches since 2010. Politics live: Starmer pledges 'national renewal' in King's Speech Sir Keir knows the opportunity he has - to reshape Britain in a way not seen since the days of Margaret Thatcher or Tony Blair. The other post-war leader that won such an opportunity at the ballot box was Boris Johnson, but he squandered his chance.
This prime minister is intent on not wasting his. To that end, this was a King's Speech that put growth at its heart, with 15 bills around this agenda - be it on safeguarding economic stability, increasing economic powers for metro mayors, driving through housebuilding, improving the rail and bus networks so people can get to work, or setting up Great British Energy to drive through more green power. Liz Truss 'disaster' mini-budget reference removed from King's Speech after former PM complained Sunak tries to defend record in King's Speech exchanges with Starmer - insisting economy 'on upward trajectory' Labour promises to 'take the brakes off Britain' in King's Speech Keep up with all the latest news f.