Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivered an emotional and often tearful defense of his two-year record in office during his final appearance at Prime Minister's Questions. The session largely eschewed political attacks in favor of tributes and questions, many concerning the World Cup, as Starmer prepared to hand over power to Andy Burnham on Monday.
Addressing the Commons for the last time, Starmer's voice broke as he paid tribute to those he had worked with. “This will be my last answer from this dispatch box,” he began. “Every prime minister knows when they take up the torch that the day will come when they have to pass it on. That day has come for me. This is the end of my political journey.”
The session was attended by his wife and children, alongside members of the public whose lives had intersected with government policies, including Jaguar Land Rover workers and parents who had campaigned for a social media ban for children. Starmer concluded his remarks by wishing “good health and happiness to all those in the gallery whose lives have been changed or improved by this Labour government, and all across the country who struggle to be seen or heard. You’re the reason I came into politics. To my wife and children, I love you. Goodbye.” His farewell was met with cheers and applause from many MPs, which was eventually curtailed by Speaker Lindsay Hoyle, who reminded the chamber that applause is frowned upon.
Earlier in the exchange, Starmer expressed that he was “truly horrified” by the death of Ann Widdecombe and suggested she be granted a shield in the Commons, a tribute typically reserved for murdered sitting MPs like Jo Cox and David Amess.
When asked for advice for his successor, Andy Burnham, and for the England team ahead of their semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday evening, Starmer replied, “For my successor and for the England team, I won’t give advice. I will simply give my wholehearted support.”
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch departed from her usual combative questioning, instead asking Starmer about various topics, including whether the country deserved “a televised debate between Nigel Farage and Count Binface” before the Clacton byelection. Starmer humorously advised, “My advice to everyone is: put your vote in the bin.”
In response to a more serious question from Badenoch, referencing his past comment that in No 10 “when he pulled the levers, nothing happened,” the Prime Minister launched into a robust defense of his government’s achievements. “We did pull the levers,” Starmer asserted. “We pulled the levers to stabilise the economy, and we’ve stabilised the economy. We pulled the levers to strengthen our public services, and NHS waiting lists are coming down at the fastest rate for 17 years. We pulled a big lever on child poverty, and this government will be doing more on child poverty than any government ever, including previous Labour governments. We put the biggest investment into defence and security, and our international standing has been restored.”
Badenoch concluded her questions by thanking Starmer’s family for their “love and support they have given him throughout his time in office,” acknowledging the significant sacrifices made by political families. Starmer, in turn, thanked the Tory leader for having “extended kindness to me privately at very difficult times,” including when his family home was attacked and following the death of his brother.
Reform UK’s deputy leader, Richard Tice, also offered a gentler line of questioning, noting that under Starmer’s tenure, the England men’s team had achieved the best win record of any UK prime minister. However, another Reform MP, Danny Kruger, who had defected from the Conservatives, criticized Labour for not fielding a candidate in Clacton. Starmer responded, “I know that Reform believe in recycling politicians.”
The final question came from Labour MP Carolyn Harris, who, fighting back tears, praised Starmer for revitalizing the party after its 2019 election defeat. “Today, because of his service and his leadership, children are growing up in a fairer Britain,” Harris stated. “We stand tall on the world stage, and every day we’ve seen his decency and his courage shine through. Can I thank him and his wonderful family, on behalf of me and my family, for their cherished friendship, and I am certain everyone will join me in wishing him and his family the very, very best for their next chapter.”
