‘Now we begin’: what the papers say after Keir Starmer takes reins as UK prime minister

After Labour’s seismic defeat of the Tories, the UK papers’ front pages have focused on the work ahead for Keir Starmer amid his post-election glow after the new prime minister vowed to put “country first, party second” and rebuild Britain “brick by brick”.

The Guardian ran a full-page photo of the Labour leader pointing the way forward while holding hands with his wife, Victoria Starmer, beside a quote headline from his first speech as PM: “We will fight every day until you believe again”.

The Mirror had the smiling couple waving under the “10” on their new residence’s front door on Downing Street above the headline “NOW WE BEGIN”.

The Daily Telegraph also ran with a jubilant Starmer and his wife moving past Downing St crowds while pointing above the masthead to Conservative pain with the headline “Tories need time to lick wounds”, and splashing further down on the new health secretary’s warning as the Labour team got to work: “Streeting: NHS is broken”.

The Daily Mail also carried a photo of the couple waving outside number 10 while stressing in its lead headline: “NOW HE HAS TO DELIVER”. And across the top the paper turned to Boris Johnson weighing in with his “10-point plan” to rescue the decimated Tories.

The Times led with “The work of change begins” above Starmer extending his hand forward towards the people, alongside his wife at their new official home.

The Daily Express took a reflective tone, calling Starmer “undoubtedly decent and sincere” in a headline kicker while exhorting the Tory faithful to “LET US BE GRACIOUS IN DEFEAT”, above a pic of vanquished leader Rishi Sunak and his wife, Akshata Murty.

The i pictured Starmer, a former human rights lawyer, as if arguing a case alongside the headline: “Starmer tells UK: politics can be a force for good”.

The Financial Times declared “The work of change begins today” above the victorious couple outside number 10, while lower down looking at the looming Tory leadership contest and the “thinning” field of possible contenders after big-name losses including ministers Penny Mordaunt and Grant Shapps.

“Work starts Keir” – that’s the Sun, which reports that he becomes Britain’s 58th prime minister after “landslide”.

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The Scotsman proclaimed “All change” under the triumphant Starmers while also pointing to SNP leader John Swinney’s forced “indy rethink” after the Scottish nationalist party’s “hammering” in the polls.

The Daily Record had the Starmers pictured in dynamic motion on a “Moving day for Labour” with the splash “PRIME TIME” as the new PM “promises to rebuild Britain brick by brick”.