With a final flourish and his team wiping away tears, Sir Keir Starmer has ended his last question session in the House of Commons as UK leader, declaring: “This is the end of my political journey.”
Sir Keir is stepping down on Monday after losing the support of his Labour Party and after two years in which he struggled to deliver promised economic growth, repair tattered public services and ease the cost of living.
He is handing over power to a new Labour leader, Andy Burnham.
Here are the key moments.
PMQs is a weekly ritual in British politics
Prime Minister’s Questions (known as PMQs) is held every Wednesday at midday, inside the House of Commons. The prime minister fields questions from opposition party leaders and others, on topics they don’t know in advance.
Sir Keir Starmer told the Commons his political journey was over. (Reuters: House of Commons/Handout)
It is known for bad-tempered jibes and angry exchanges.
But Sir Keir’s final appearance was a gentler affair, mixing seriousness and political criticism with personal tributes and jokes about the football World Cup.
It was put to Sir Keir, that his MPs had given him a “red card”.
The PM said he “won’t give advice” to his successor or the England team but only will give “whole-hearted support”.
And responded that he didn’t care “what the score is tonight, as long as we [England] win”.
He left the despatch box in the middle of the parliament floor saying he had a date with his television at 8pm (5am in Australia) for the World Cup match.
Spoiler alert: England was beaten by Argentina 2-1 in the semifinal.
‘Do more to defend our democracy’
Sir Keir Starmer leaves office next week. (Reuters: House of Commons/Handout)
The outgoing PM opened by saying he was “horrified” at the killing last week of the former lawmaker Ann Widdecombe.
Counterterrorism police are investigating it as murder.
A British man has been arrested.
Sir Keir called it “chilling” that three serving or former members had been killed during his 11 years in parliament, and urged politicians to “do more to defend our democracy”.
Ms Widdecombe’s death has sparked debate over politicians’ safety, and comes after the murder of serving MPs Jo Cox in 2016 and David Amess, a friend of Ms Widdecombe’s, in 2021.
Praise for supporting Ukraine
Sir Keir is held in high regard by many foreign leaders on issues from Ukraine to forging closer European ties.
Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the opposition Conservative Party, praised the prime minister for inviting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to London last year.
The meeting came the day after an extraordinary diplomatic meltdown when US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance blasted Mr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on live television for not being grateful enough for US support.
Sir Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelenskiy shake hands at 10 Downing Street last year. (Reuters: Peter Nicholls/Pool)
Sir Keir recalled how people had gathered at the gates of Downing Street to see Mr Zelenskyy.
“The moment he got out of the car and hugged me, they cheered from the top of their voices, the British people, to tell President Zelenskyy exactly what they thought of him and the way he had been treated in the Oval Office,” he said.
‘Better shape than I found it’
Sir Keir said he was proud of his government’s domestic policy achievements.
“We’ve stabilised the economy. We have invested heavily in our public services. We’ve put better protections in for children particularly on child poverty. We’ve strengthened our defence and we’ve enhanced our international reputation,” he said.
Sir Keir Starmer spent six years as leader of the Labour Party and two as prime minister. (Reuters: House of Commons/Handout)
He said he was “proud to leave this country in better shape than I found it”.
“Every prime minister knows when they take up the torch that the day will come when they have to pass it on,” he said.
He has spent six years as leader of the Labour Party and two as prime minister, and led his party to victory in 2024 elections after 14 years in opposition.
“This is the end of my political journey,” he told the Commons, though he plans to remain a backbench lawmaker for now.
A final goodbye
The House fell silent as Sir Keir ended by thanking colleagues, staff, civil servants and all those “who struggle to be seen or heard — you’re the reason I came into politics”.
He said “I love you” to wife Victoria and two teenage children, who were watching from a viewing gallery, before a final: “Goodbye.”
Lawmakers from all sides of the chamber applauded, with many rising for a standing ovation.
Speaker Lindsay Hoyle had to remind them that cheering is allowed in the House of Commons, but clapping is against the rules.
ABC/wires
