Keir Starmer will depart as Prime Minister next week after six years in charge of the Labour Party. In his final Cabinet meeting on Wednesday morning, he highlighted his proudest achievements while in government, pointing to the UK economy, improvements to the NHS, and investment in tackling child poverty.
He told ministers his administration had “transformed our international standing” as he hailed his efforts to reset ties with the European Union and take a leading role in the coalition of the willing on Ukraine and a future mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz.
MPs Pay Tribute to Outgoing PM
MPs from all parties paid tribute to the outgoing PM, who pledged to give his “wholehearted support” to Andy Burnham “privately if asked for, not publicly when not asked for”.
At the same meeting, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy praised Starmer's legacy, saying: “You prioritised the people of this country. Not many politicians at this level can say that. Second, your incredible energy and work ethic: I’ve never known a politician put in the hours that you do. Again and again, day after day, always trying to do more for the people that we serve, and third, your sheer resilience.”
Lammy added: “All of us around this table have thick skins. We’ve got to, to do this job but the nature of politics now is that leaders are not treated kindly in the moment. But what you’ve done in Government for our party means that the history books will write you up as a giant of the Labour movement, and for that we thank you very much.”
Final PMQs and Standing Ovation
Starmer was given a standing ovation at the end of the final weekly Cabinet meeting. In emotional scenes during his final PMQs, many MPs were in tears as Starmer bowed out with warm applause from the majority of the Commons, although the Tories remained seated and did not applaud.
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