In his first major public appearance of 2024, the Labour leader laid out what he called "Project Hope" in a lengthy speech broadcast live on TV news channels.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, whose Conservative party has been in power since 2010, is yet to announce the date of the vote but has said it will be held this year.
Starmer, whose centre-left party is well ahead in opinion polls, said the election will be a choice between "14 years of decline" and "a decade of national renewal".
"This is your year. The opportunity to shape our country's future rests in your hands," he said in a direct pitch to voters during an address from the southwestern city of Bristol.
"The chance, finally, to turn the page, lift the weight off our shoulders, unite as a country and get our future back," Starmer added.
The 61-year-old Starmer said that he "hated the futility of opposition" and was "ready" for the election, in which his party will need to overturn a large Tory majority to win power.
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
@ISIDEWITH1yr1Y
Join in on more popular conversations.