LONDON — In his inaugural address as Prime Minister, Keir Starmer cautioned the British public that difficulties lie ahead, stressing the need for honesty about the economic and societal challenges inherited from the previous government.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Prime Minister Starmer, who led the Labour Party to a decisive victory on July 4, criticized the legacy of the Conservative government. He described the current situation as a “black hole” in both the economy and society, necessitating a different approach and tough decisions. “This means being honest with people: about the choices we face, and the difficulties we will face. Frankly, things are going to get worse before they get better,” he stated.

Finance Minister Rachel Reeves recently indicated that the new government faces “difficult decisions” regarding spending cuts or tax increases. The first budget under the new administration, set for October 30, will address a reported £22 billion shortfall left by the Conservatives. This has led to accusations from opponents that Reeves had been aware of the fiscal issues for months and was merely setting the stage for unpopular measures.

Further complicating matters, Starmer also addressed recent riots triggered by a knife attack that resulted in the deaths of three young girls. He attributed the unrest to societal divisions worsened by 14 years of “populism and failures” under the Conservatives. The authorities have blamed far-right activists for exacerbating the riots, which targeted mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers, following a disinformation campaign that incorrectly identified the attacker as a Muslim asylum seeker.