Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said that Labour “should go on to win the next election” under his likely successor, Andy Burnham, because of the groundwork he has laid in power. In his first sit-down interview since announcing his resignation, Starmer also insisted he held no “personal animosity” for Burnham, who is all but guaranteed to succeed him as Labour leader and prime minister.
Starmer's Achievements and Endorsement
Speaking to the BBC, Starmer was asked what he considered his achievements in power and as Labour leader. He pointed to efforts to tackle antisemitism within the party while in opposition, the 2024 general election victory, and his government's work to “stabilise the economy” over the past 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,” Starmer said. He added that he would do everything possible over his final days to serve the country and bow out gracefully, noting, “It’s the end of my journey in politics. I’m very clear about that.”
Personal Relationship with Burnham
When asked if he liked Burnham, Starmer responded, “Yes, I do. We’ve always got on. He supports the wrong football club.” He emphasised that he has “never had any personal animosity” and expressed his desire for the next government to succeed. Starmer pledged to support the government behind the scenes, offering advice only if asked, and said he would refrain from public commentary on the prime minister’s actions. He also confirmed he plans to remain an MP until the next election and dismissed rumours that he might seek the role of NATO’s next secretary general.
Advice for Burnham on International Affairs
In earlier excerpts of the interview, Starmer warned Burnham that it would 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,” Starmer said. He noted that it is “not sensible to think you can just separate these two things out.” Throughout his premiership, Starmer faced criticism for focusing heavily on foreign policy, with opponents branding him “never here Keir.” Burnham, by contrast, has largely emphasised domestic issues in his campaign.
Burnham's Signals on Policy
Burnham gave some indication of his foreign policy approach during an “Ask Me Anything” session on Reddit on Friday evening. The Makerfield MP said he would “100%” maintain the same level of support for Ukraine as Starmer and suggested he would continue efforts to strengthen ties with the European Union. He also ruled out calling an early general election. Starmer described his decision to resign as “intensely personal,” made after a weekend with his family at Chequers, the prime ministerial country estate.
