Keir Starmer, Labour Party leader become the next prime minister of the United Kingdom, as vote counts show a decisive majority for his party. Starmer’s victory will end the Conservative Party’s 14-year tenure under current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Starmer, a human rights lawyer-turned-politician, has consistently highlighted his commitment to strengthening UK-India relations and advancing free trade agreements if Labour comes to power. Throughout his campaign, he has emphasized the importance of eradicating ‘Hinduphobia’ from the United Kingdom. Stating that there is “absolutely no place for Hinduphobia in Britain.”
In a recent campaign event, Starmer visited the Shree Swaminarayan Temple in Kingsbury, North London, demonstrating his solidarity with British Hindus following recent acts of vandalism against temples. Opening his speech with “Jai Swaminarayan,” he praised British Hindus for maintaining their rich heritage while contributing to Britain’s future. “There is absolutely no place for Hinduphobia in Britain,” Starmer declared, a sentiment he echoed during last year’s Diwali celebrations at the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Neasden.
Starmer’s foreign policy vision includes building a “new strategic partnership with India.” At the India Global Forum (IGF) last year, he articulated Labour’s stance on UK-India relations, emphasizing a relationship built on shared values of democracy and aspiration. “My Labour government will seek a relationship with India based on our shared values of democracy and aspiration,” Starmer stated. “We aim for a free trade agreement (FTA) and a strategic partnership encompassing global security, climate security, and economic security.”
As the vote count has progressed, Keir Starmer’s Labour Party set to form the next government, ushering in a new era of UK politics and promising a renewed focus on fostering stronger ties with India.