Anti-Brexit activist Steve Bray played Beethoven's 'Ode to Joy' outside Downing Street during Sir Keir Starmer's resignation speech on Monday, calling it his way of 'saying goodbye' to the Prime Minister.
Starmer announces resignation
Sir Keir Starmer confirmed he would stand down as leader of the Labour Party in an emotional statement on Monday morning. He said a new Labour leader will be in place before September and that he would remain in post until a successor is found. Starmer pledged his successor would have his 'unequivocal backing' and revealed he had spoken to the King earlier to inform him of his intention. The Prime Minister became visibly emotional, with tears in his eyes and his voice cracking, as he spoke about his wife and children, paying tribute to them.
Steve Bray's musical tribute
Steve Bray, from Port Talbot, a long-running activist known as 'Stop Brexit guy' or the 'man who shouts stop Brexit', played the choral symphony outside the Downing Street gates. Sir Keir had previously told Classic FM in a 2023 interview that the piece 'sums up' the Labour Party. 'That was my way of saying goodbye to him,' Bray told the Press Association. 'It was a mark of respect.'
Andy Burnham emerges as favourite
Andy Burnham, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester, won the Makerfield by-election by a massive margin, clearing his path to enter Parliament. He is now seen as the clear favourite to be the next occupant of 10 Downing Street and could be in post within weeks. Starmer said nominations for the Labour leadership will open on July 9.
