Sir Keir Starmer this evening thanked Joe Biden for his first phone call with the US president but in his comments appeared to break a promise not to work after 6pm on Fridays.
Seizing on comments made by Rishi Sunak in the days before the election that the Labour leader was trying to avoid overtime, the Conservatives labelled him a “part-time chancellor”.
But Sir Keir appeared to break that promise in a message to the president just hours after his first day in office.
Just after 9pm, more than three hours after Sir Keir was due to leave work, he posted on X/Twitter: “Thank you for your ongoing commitment to the special relationship between our two countries. I look forward to working with you.”
The prime minister has previously spoken of his determination to spend time with his family during his term in office.
“Whenever I can, I create Friday nights as protected time for Vic and the kids and her dad,” he said this week.
“As you all know, her father’s family is Jewish and we are Jewish as a family where we pray. Not every Friday, but every once in a while.”
“That doesn’t mean I’ve never had to work on a Friday. Of course there have been times when I couldn’t work. But I’ve tried to keep those hours. I’ll try to keep those hours, but I know it’s really hard.”
Mr Biden congratulated the new Prime Minister on his election victory, ahead of the two leaders meeting at a crucial NATO summit in Washington DC next week.
According to a White House statement, the two countries discussed the importance of working together to “support freedom and democracy around the world.”
And both sides reiterated their support for Ukraine in its war against the “ruthless aggression” of Russia, led by dictator Vladimir Putin.
This came after other world leaders congratulated Sir Keir on Labour’s landslide victory, with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron among the first leaders to welcome Sir Keir.
“President Joseph R. Biden Jr. today spoke with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and congratulated him on his appointment as Prime Minister,” a White House statement said.
“The leaders reaffirmed the special relationship between our two countries and the importance of working together to support freedom and democracy around the world.”
“The President said he looks forward to working closely with Prime Minister Starmer on all the important issues affecting our two countries, and pledged to deepen US-UK cooperation in many areas of mutual interest to our nations.”
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“They reiterated their continued support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s relentless aggression.”
“They affirmed their shared commitment to safeguarding the outcomes of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement and working with Northern Ireland’s leaders to create and sustain economic growth and opportunity.”
“The President looks forward to welcoming Prime Minister Starmer to the Washington Summit next week, which will mark the 75th anniversary of the founding of NATO.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy congratulated Sir Keir and his party on their “landslide victory” and wished the new government “every success, both in domestic matters and in strengthening Britain’s leadership on the world stage”.
He said Ukraine and the UK shared “shared values of life, freedom and a rules-based international order” and would remain “trusted allies through all challenges”.
The wartime leader also praised former Chancellor Rishi Sunak, describing him as a “good friend” and vowing to “never forget” the support he received from the Government.
Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reacted triumphantly to news of his “friend” Keir Starmer’s victory, calling it a “historic UK election victory.”
“Much work lies ahead to build a more progressive and equitable future for people on both sides of the Atlantic,” he wrote to X, along with a photo of them together. “Let’s get started, friends.”
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French President Emmanuel Macron congratulated Sir Keir, adding that he was “pleased with our first meeting”, indicating the next leader is already engaged in international diplomacy.
“We will continue the work we have started with the UK on bilateral cooperation, on European peace and security, on climate and on AI,” Macron added.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed both Sir Keir and Angela Rayner to the government as deputy prime ministers, saying they shared “very similar views” with the Labor government.
He wrote to X: “There is a strong relationship between our two countries and I am very much looking forward to working with Sir Keir Starmer, Angela Rayner and many of the MPs in the UK Labour Party who I know well.”
“They have very similar views to us on a range of issues. We worked very closely with the previous administration on AUKUS, so I’m sure we’ll continue to work closely together on AUKUS.”
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris congratulated Sir Keir Starmer on his election victory and said he expected relations between Ireland and the UK to “go from strength to strength”.
“Congratulations on your landslide victory in the UK elections,” he posted to X.
“I look forward to working with you all as close neighbors and friends.”
“The relationship between Ireland and the UK is deep and important and I expect it to continue to grow stronger in the future.”
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New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon wrote to X: “Congratulations @Keir_Starmer on your election victory.”
“New Zealand and the UK are great friends and together we can achieve so much more. I look forward to taking every opportunity to work together as Prime Minister.”
He also thanked Sunak for his “service to the country and friendship to New Zealand”.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog also thanked Sunak, thanking him for his “leadership and the way he has supported the State of Israel, especially during these difficult times,” referring to the aftermath of the October 7 attacks and Israel’s war on Gaza.
Meanwhile, European Council President Charles Michel said he “looked forward to working with” Sir Keir on what is being called a “new cycle for the UK”.
“The European Union and the United Kingdom are important partners cooperating in all areas of common interest to our peoples,” he said.
He added that they would meet soon at the European Political Community summit in Britain on July 18 and “discuss common challenges such as stability, security, energy and migration.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also congratulated X, telling the Prime Minister-designate: “I look forward to working in a constructive partnership with you to address common challenges and strengthen European security.”
Sir Keir’s first opportunity to meet world leaders as prime minister will be on Tuesday when he travels to Washington for a NATO summit hosted by US President Joe Biden.