Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to “get Britain’s future back” in a New Year message, while Rishi Sunak and Ed Davey also released videos.
Labour leader Sir Keir brought an international focus to his December 31 greeting which saw him speak in a black suit in front of two union flags.
“[This] has been a year of pride and achievement,” Sir Keir said, in his message which was the first of the three to be released, going live at 8am on New Year’s Eve.
2023 has been a year of pride and achievement.
— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) December 31, 2023
But for too many, it's been another tough year financially and a time of insecurity internationally.
In 2024, Labour is ready to renew politics so it serves our country again.
Let's make this the year we get Britain’s future back. pic.twitter.com/IdrNA3Xorz
He mentioned the England women’s football team’s World Cup efforts and the coronation of Charles III but his tone changed when addressing the Israel conflict.
“It's been another tough year financially and a time of insecurity internationally,” he said.
“In 2024, Labour is ready to renew politics so it serves our country again. Let's make this the year we get Britain’s future back.”
An election date has not yet been set but it is likely to be held sometime in 2024.
In his New Year message, Prime Minister @RishiSunak looks forward to 2024 and the work we will continue to do to build a better future for people across the UK 🇬🇧pic.twitter.com/wknqr8RZf7
— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) December 31, 2023
One hour later, the prime minister posed in front of a Christmas tree in Downing Street to deliver the greeting on New Year’s Eve and set out his government’s achievements.
“My new year’s resolution is to keep driving forward,” a besuited Mr Sunak said, adding the government would be delivering a tax cut worth £450 on average.
He added that inflation would be falling and debt would be reduced, while also doubling down on his pledge to “stop the boats”.
As we welcome the New Year, we can all be hopeful that 2024 will be a year of change. Not just change to who sits in power – but to change where power sits too. pic.twitter.com/uFluvEVbOX
— Ed Davey (@EdwardJDavey) December 31, 2023
Liberal Democrat leader Mr Davey released his message at 11am but his 3 minute 51 second video was by far the longest.
He described the British political system as being “broken” and added pledges to act on climate change as well as Brexit.
“It falls to us, the Liberal Democrats, to be the agents of change once again,” he said.
“We must do nothing less than to transform the nature of British politics for good [and] hand back far more control to individuals and communities.”
