Keir Starmer says Labour government will 'serve entirety of Scotland' as he begins UK tour

The PM said he was "resetting the relationship" when he met with the First Minister of Scotland John Swinney, as ITV News Political Correspondent Harry Horton reports

Sir Keir Starmer pledged that his new government would "serve the entirety of Scotland" and expressed gratitude to those who "placed their trust and faith" in the Labour Party during a speech that marked the beginning of his UK tour.

The prime minister was in Edinburgh on Sunday at the start of a two-day trip which will see him also visit Wales and Northern Ireland.

Starmer said he was seeking an “immediate reset” of the relationship between the Westminster Government and devolved nations.

He met with First Minister John Swinney on Sunday evening after appearing alongside Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.

Speaking after his meeting with Swinney at Bute House, the prime minister said he aimed to “make good” on his campaign commitment to “reset” the relationship between the Scottish and UK Governments.

He told broadcasters the economy and energy were high on the agenda as the two leaders met but accepted there were “clearly differences of opinion” on the constitutional issue of Scottish independence.

But Starmer said: “The point of this meeting was to reset the relationship in a respectful way, in a constructive way, and to recognise that on the economy, energy and very pressingly on Grangemouth, there is room for us to have a constructive way of delivering for very many people across Scotland.”

He added the pair had a “joint view” of working constructively, adding: “I am absolutely clear that during the campaign I made a commitment that my Labour Government would deliver for Scotland.

The prime minister’s visit did not go as planned as pro-Palestinian protesters lined the streets outside Bute House in anticipation of his arrival.

However, once inside the two were pictured chatting and smiling as they met for the first time in their official capacities.

Following their meeting, Swinney said the pair continued their conversation about areas of shared interest.

He added: "I believe there is an opportunity for collaborative working that can make a difference to people’s lives and I hope to work with Sir Keir’s new government to deliver progress for the benefit of people in Scotland."

In an earlier speech alongside the Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Starmer thanked those "who put their trust and faith in the Labour Party to bring about the change that they need".

He added: “To those people who didn’t vote Labour, I want to directly address you too because we will serve the entirety of Scotland, we’ll serve every single person in Scotland because that change matters to everyone and that is how we go forward.”

Starmer's whistlestop tour of the UK comes ahead of a packed first full week in office, with little time to settle in at Number 10 as he prepares to head to the Nato summit in Washington on Tuesday.

The new prime minister used his first 24 hours in office on Saturdayto set the tone for his new government, promising to turn his back on “tribalism” in politics and usher in an era of “stability” and “moderation”.

Part of that will be an effort to “push power and resource out of Whitehall”, and open his door to those with “skin in the game” who know what is best for their communities, the new Prime Minister has suggested.

ITV News' Political Correspondent Harry Horton breaks down what the prime minister could be trying to achieve from his tour of the nations.

Starmer announced during a Downing Street press conference on Saturday that he would also squeeze in a meeting with the metro mayors on Tuesday before heading to the US.

He said his “door is open” to regional leaders of all political stripes as he outlined plans to “discuss with them their part in delivering the growth that we need across the United Kingdom”.

After sweeping to a historic victory at the polls, Starmer said his party had received “a mandate to do politics differently”.

“This will be a politics and a government that is about delivery, is about service. Self-interest is yesterday’s politics,” he said.

The news conference on Saturday came after he chaired the first meeting of his new Cabinet, which largely mirrors his shadow team before the election.

Other ministerial appointments carried on over the weekend, with former army officer Dan Jarvis made a Home Office minister and Jim McMahon and Matthew Pennycook ministers in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.

Meanwhile, Ellie Reeves replaced Anneliese Dodds as party chairwoman and New Labour figures were also brought back in to the fold.

Former home secretary Jacqui Smith, who served in Gordon Brown’s Cabinet, will enter the Lords as an education minister while Sir Tony Blair’s former health secretary Alan Milburn has been tipped for a role in government helping to drive waiting lists down.

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