Sir Keir Starmer has said Labour “should go on to win the next election” under Andy Burnham, in his first sit-down interview since announcing he will quit as Prime Minister. The outgoing leader also insisted he held no “personal animosity” for Mr Burnham, who is poised to become the next Labour leader.
Starmer’s Verdict on Burnham’s Prospects
Speaking to the BBC, Sir Keir was asked about his achievements in power and as Labour leader. He pointed to tackling antisemitism in opposition, the 2024 general election victory, and his government’s work to “stabilise the economy” over the last two years. “My successor will have a platform to build on, which means that Labour can go on and should go on to win the next election,” he said.
Sir Keir added: “And that’s what I’m trying to make sure I’m able to do over the next few days to serve my country and to make sure that I bow out. It’s the end of my journey in politics. I’m very clear about that.” He urged colleagues to ensure the transition is a success.
No Personal Animosity
Asked if he liked Mr Burnham, his likely successor as no other candidate has stood against him in the Labour leadership contest, Sir Keir replied: “Yes, I do. We’ve always got on. He supports the wrong football club.” He added: “We get on, I’ve never had any personal animosity, and I wish he… if he is my successor, obviously there’s a little bit of process to go. But I want what comes next to succeed and I’m going to do everything I possibly can to make sure it does succeed.”
Sir Keir said he would support the government “behind the scenes” and would not offer public advice, a veiled criticism of other senior Labour figures who have made public interventions.
Legacy and Future Plans
In a 12-minute video branded “With Keir” posted to X, the Prime Minister listed his government’s achievements and answered questions from the most difficult aspect of the job—lack of time with his family—to lighter topics, declining to reveal his hair gel brand. He plans to stay on as an MP until the next election and dismissed rumours of standing as NATO’s next secretary general. “I don’t know, is the honest answer to that,” he told the BBC about his future.
Warning on International Affairs
Sir Keir warned Mr Burnham that it will not be possible to spend less time on international affairs. “If you’re prime minister and you care what bills are going to be like in any household around the country, you have to care about finding a lasting solution to the situation in Ukraine, you have to care about what happens in the Strait of Hormuz,” he said. “It’s not sensible to think you can just separate these two things out.”
Throughout his premiership, Sir Keir faced accusations of spending too much time abroad, with opponents branding him “never here Keir”. Mr Burnham has largely focused on domestic issues as he sets out his stall to be the next prime minister.
Burnham’s Stance
Mr Burnham gave some indication of his foreign policy approach in an “Ask Me Anything” on Reddit on Friday evening. The Makerfield MP said he would “100%” give the same level of support to Ukraine as Sir Keir had and suggested he wanted to continue efforts to broker a closer relationship with the EU. He also ruled out calling an early general election.
