Outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer delivered his final speech outside 10 Downing Street on [date], declaring his work is done as he handed over the premiership to new Labour Party leader Andy Burnham.
Starmer's Farewell
In a short address, Starmer said he would close the book on his tenure, adding: 'I go with a smile and I go proud of everything that we have achieved.' He wished Andy Burnham 'every success' as he passed the baton. The speech was met with applause from colleagues gathered outside Number 10.
Starmer's arrival at the podium was greeted with widespread applause from his colleagues as he prepared for his final trip to see the King to offer his resignation. After concluding the speech, he shook hands and exchanged hugs with several guests before heading to the palace.
Starmer's Full Speech
'Thank you very much, and good morning.
'I'm about to visit His Majesty the King to offer my resignation and close the book on my time as prime minister.
'My work is done. In six-and-a-half years, I took our party from a historic defeat in 2019, changed it so it was fit to face the country, and won a landslide general election victory in 2024.
'Since then, it has been the privilege of my life to serve you and this great country as prime minister, and I am confident that Britain is now stronger and fairer than it was two years ago.
'Our economy is stronger; our public services are on the up, with the biggest fall in waiting times for 17 years; children are being lifted out of poverty every single day; immigration is down significantly; our defence and security are on a far stronger footing and our international reputation is greatly advanced.
'Yet the thing I will always take away with me – the most humbling aspect of this job – is the front-row seat you get to witness the greatest things of this country in action, to see every day immeasurable acts of resolve, grit, decency, and compassion from people who serve our country, whether that's in their regimental colours, NHS scrubs, or simply the millions of people in their communities who volunteer their time and their effort to the ground beneath their feet.
'We face a world now where our enemies will stop at nothing to divide us because of our values, our freedom, our decency, and frankly, because of our unflinching resolve towards the brave people of Ukraine.
'And so, under this attack, it is vital that we remember the greatness of the Britain all around us. That while we debate how to fix our problems, there is something we inherit from our country and our character that can give us confidence that we can change our country for the better, that we can create a Britain where every child can go as far as their talent will take them, and we can unite different people under our common flag if we don't succumb to that division.
'So, as I now pass the baton to Andy Burnham, I wish him every success. He has my full support.
'And finally, I want to thank once again my family, Vic, and our children, my team, all the staff here and across the Labour Party, everyone at Number 10, and across the civil service, and everyone who has supported our efforts along the way.
'For all the focus on individuals, politics will always be a team sport, and the changes we've delivered for our country and our party belong to everyone who has fought for them.
'I thank them again today, and I thank the British people for the opportunity to serve. I go with good grace. I go with a smile, and I go proud of everything that we have achieved.
'Thank you very much.'
Impact and Context
Starmer's departure as Prime Minister means Britain will see its seventh leader in a decade. He leaves office after a two-year tenure, having won a landslide general election victory in 2024. His successor, Andy Burnham, now takes over as Labour leader and Prime Minister.
