British Prime Minister Keir Starmer took decisive action on his first full day in office by announcing the abandonment of the controversial Conservative policy to deport asylum-seekers to Rwanda. Stressing the ineffectiveness of the scheme, Starmer asserted during his inaugural press briefing, "The Rwanda scheme was doomed from the start. It never acted as a deterrent; quite the opposite."

This move, widely expected given Starmer's previous statements, represents a significant departure from a policy that incurred substantial costs without ever being put into practice.

Following his initial Cabinet meeting, where the new government began tackling a range of domestic challenges and sought to rebuild public trust after years of austerity and political instability, Starmer greeted his new ministers at 10 Downing Street with gratitude for the opportunity bestowed upon him by King Charles III to lead the government. "We have a monumental task ahead of us, so let's roll up our sleeves and get to work," he declared.

Starmer's Labour Party achieved a historic victory in Friday's election, dealing the Conservatives their most significant electoral setback in two centuries. The incoming administration inherits a host of issues, including revitalizing a sluggish economy, reforming an overstretched healthcare system, and restoring confidence in governance.

"Just because Labour secured a landslide victory doesn’t mean the challenges faced by the former Conservative government have disappeared," noted Tim Bale, a professor of politics at Queen Mary University of London.

In his first statements as prime minister following his formal confirmation at Buckingham Palace, Starmer pledged immediate action while cautioning that transforming a nation takes time. "We cannot expect change overnight," he acknowledged, buoyed by enthusiastic supporters outside his new residence.

Starmer's schedule is packed following an intense six-week campaign across all four nations of the UK. Next week, he plans to attend a NATO summit in Washington before hosting the European Political Community summit on July 18, following the state opening of Parliament and the King’s Speech outlining the government’s agenda.

On Friday, Starmer highlighted several priorities, including revitalizing the esteemed yet struggling National Health Service and addressing border security amid a global influx of migrants fleeing conflicts, poverty, and climate change-related disasters.

The Conservative government's challenges in stemming migrant flows across the English Channel, coupled with its unfulfilled promise to "stop the boats," culminated in the contentious Rwanda deportation plan.

Reacting to the scrapped policy, Suella Braverman, a Conservative stalwart on immigration, criticized Starmer's decision, arguing, "Years of legislative effort and significant financial investment were dedicated to a scheme that, if properly executed, could have succeeded."

Meanwhile, Starmer’s Cabinet wasted no time in getting down to business. Foreign Secretary David Lammy embarked on his inaugural international tour to Germany, Poland, and Sweden to strengthen diplomatic ties, while Health Secretary Wes Streeting announced upcoming negotiations with junior NHS doctors amid ongoing strikes over pay, exacerbating the healthcare system's backlog of appointments.

As Starmer navigates the initial days of his administration, the challenges ahead are considerable, underscoring the expectations and urgency facing his government's efforts toward national renewal and stability.