Landslide win for Labour ; Keir Starmer appointed new PM, Angela Rayner new Deputy PM

Labour leader Keir Starmer officially became Britain’s Prime Minister after an audience with King Charles III at Buckingham Palace.

Earlier, he pledged to start a period of “national renewal” in the U.K. after his opposition Labour party defeated the ruling Conservatives in the general election.

“Today we start the next chapter 3 begin the work of change, the mission of national renewal and start to rebuild our country,” Mr. Starmer said in a triumphant victory speech in London after his party secured a majority in parliament.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak conceded defeat in the national election on July 5, saying the opposition Labour Party had won.

“The Labour Party has won this general election and I have called Sir Keir Starmer to congratulate him on his victory,” Mr. Sunak said after winning his parliamentary seat in northern England

Their Westminster, and ours

India and Britain follow the parliamentary system of government and there are lot of differences and similarities in electoral system of India and Britain.
SIMILARITIES
1-Both the Nation follows the First Past The Post method in which whoever got the majority wins the election.
2-Both the nation follows the westminster model of Parliamentary system.
3- The Indian Lok sabha is same as House of Commons in UK where representatives are elected through direct voting by the people.
DIFFERENCES
1-The Election Dates are announced by the Election commission which creates confusion to the candidate ,parties whereas in Britain the date is fixed or announced by the prime minister which gives advantage to the majority rule.
2-Due to Bann on paid advertisement on T.V. ,Radio the election is cheaper whereas in India it is expensive due to huge expenditure on election campaign by advertising through Banners ,T.V. ,Radios etc.
3-In India a voter cast their vote only if they have their voter id cards or identity card but In Britain there is no need of identity proofs or voter id cards which makes their election more easy and simple.
4-In India On a election day there is a holiday which effect the day to day work whereas in UK there is holiday on election day and timing of election is more which is from 7Am to 10 Pm
4- In India voting is done through EVM but In UK ballot paper are used

What will be the future of India-UK FTA under Keir Starmer as British PM?

Labour Party’s leader Keir Starmer’s election manifesto includes plans for FTA with India, stressing shared values and strategic partnership.

What is a Free Trade Agreement?

• It is a pact between two or more nations to reduce barriers to imports and exports among them.
• Under a free trade policy, goods and services can be bought and sold across international borders with little or no government tariffs, quotas, subsidies, or prohibitions to inhibit their exchange.
• The concept of free trade is the opposite of trade protectionism or economic isolationism.
• FTAs can be categorized as Preferential Trade Agreement, Comprehensive Economic Cooperation agreement and Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement .

How UK-India FTA works?

The India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, which began in January 2022, aim to enhance economic ties by providing access to India’s large and growing market, bypassing high tariff barriers. The agreement covers 26chapters, including goods, services, investments, and intellectual property rights.

Bilateral trade between India and the UK increased to USD 21.34 billion in 2023-24 from USD 20.36 billion in 2022-23. Starmer’s leadership could impact ongoing FTA

What is Keir Starmer’s view on FTA with India?

Keir Starmer’s stance on an FTA with India is articulated in Labour’s 2024 election manifesto, which outlines plans for forging a “new strategic partnership with India, including a free trade agreement, as well as deepening cooperation in security, education, technology, and climate change.”

“What my Labour government will seek with India is a relationship based on our shared values of democracy and aspiration. That will seek a free trade agreement (FTA), we share that ambition, but also a new strategic partnership for global security, climate security, economic security,” he said.