Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves were spotted drinking at a pub just hours after their Downing Street departure. Photos obtained by The Sun show the recently resigned Prime Minister and axed Chancellor outside The Pineapple pub in Kentish Town, north London. The pair appeared in good spirits, with Sir Keir taking a phone call while holding a bitters and Reeves drinking a glass of white wine on the pavement.
Departure and Handover
The photos were taken just hours after Sir Keir handed over the keys to No10 to former Manchester mayor Andy Burnham. Sir Keir delivered his farewell speech outside Downing Street on Monday morning before travelling to Buckingham Palace to formally submit his resignation. In his final speech, the former Prime Minister said he would “close the book” on his tenure, adding that his “work is done.” “I go with a smile and I go proud of everything that we have achieved,” he stated. He wished Andy Burnham “every success” as he handed over the premiership.
Cabinet Changes and Reactions
Mr Burnham, now Britain’s seventh Prime Minister in a decade, has made sweeping Cabinet changes, with Ms Reeves among the first to be sacked. She has been replaced by John Healey, the former defence secretary. However, Ms Reeves seemed unphased at the north London pub, pictured smiling and laughing with her aides. In a post on X, Ms Reeves wished the “best of luck” to her successor and Mr Burnham. She said: “It has been the privilege of my life to serve as the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The economy today is stronger, fairer and more resilient because of the choices we have taken as a Labour Government over the past two years.”
Historical Context and Future Roles
Ms Reeves was the first ever female Chancellor in British history, but was expected to lose her job alongside other Starmer loyalists. According to the BBC, the former Chancellor was reportedly offered the role of Defence Secretary but declined. Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves embraced outside Downing Street just hours before heading to the pub, marking the end of their tenure in government.
