Chancellor Rachel Reeves was seen wiping away tears as Sir Keir Starmer received a standing ovation from Labour MPs at his final Prime Minister’s Questions, in a striking display of unity from a party that had ousted him just two years after his landslide election victory. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and her MPs remained seated throughout, as Starmer prepares to hand over Downing Street to Andy Burnham on Monday.
Starmer was cheered into the Commons chamber for the weekly session, with Speaker Lindsay Hoyle opening proceedings by thanking him “for his public service, his international leadership, particularly in his steadfast support for Ukraine,” adding: “I am sure members will wish to join me in wishing him and his family well in the future.” Watching from the public gallery were Starmer’s wife, Lady Starmer, and their two children, as the outgoing prime minister closed his final appearance at the dispatch box with an emotional tribute to his family, insisting he was leaving the country in a stronger position before signing off simply with: “Goodbye.” Beside him on the front bench, Reeves, who is also set to lose her job in the reshuffle, appeared visibly moved as Labour MPs rose to their feet to applaud Starmer out of the chamber.
A pointed exchange with Badenoch
Kemi Badenoch used the session to reflect on the volatility of political fortunes, recalling an earlier prediction Starmer had made about her own tenure as Conservative leader. “I remember when I started this job, the Prime Minister was very helpful to me, saying that I wouldn’t last the year. Life comes at you fast…” she said. “But everyone in politics would do well to remember how quickly political fortunes can change. I know that he has been asked and he’s been diplomatic, but on that note: does he have any advice for his successor?” Starmer, laughing, declined to offer any pointed advice to Andy Burnham, who was not present in the Commons as he prepares to take over in Downing Street. “I will give my wholehearted support to my successor. I want this Labour Government to be a success. I want our country to be a success. I shall give my support privately if asked for, not publicly when not asked for,” he said.
When Badenoch suggested Burnham should extend the parliamentary term to face questions the following week, Starmer reflected on his own record in the role. “As Prime Minister, I’ve participated in over 60 PMQs. Always a pleasure. Always something to look forward to. And I’ve answered, or at least given answers, 2,800 times, and I’m sure she will question my successor in the same way,” he said.
A carriage clock and a final Cabinet meeting
Earlier in the day, Starmer held his final Cabinet meeting at No 10, where ministers presented him with a traditional carriage clock, organised by Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy. In the days before his final PMQs, Starmer had travelled to France, where he attended Bastille Day celebrations in Paris with President Emmanuel Macron, who awarded him the Legion d’Honneur in recognition of his work with France on European security. He is reported to be sad but philosophical about the collapse of his political career, and is likely to attend the World Cup final in the United States on Sunday should England beat Argentina.
Burnham’s coronation nears amid jockeying for top jobs
As Starmer’s premiership draws to a close, attention has increasingly turned to Burnham’s incoming government. According to Politico, an extraordinary 369 MPs, representing 92 per cent of the Parliamentary Labour Party, have now formally endorsed the former Greater Manchester Mayor as leader. Only one alternative nomination has been made, with backbencher Neil Coyle proposing Catherine West, despite West herself having nominated Burnham. Coyle told Politico: “There was no room left to crawl into Andy Burnham’s backside.”
Speculation over Cabinet appointments is intensifying, particularly around who will take on the role of Chancellor now that Reeves is set to depart. Briefings from allies close to Burnham suggest Ed Miliband’s prospects of securing the post are fading, with MPs reportedly warning that the Net Zero Secretary would be viewed as too “risky” and could unsettle businesses concerned about his left-wing positioning. Shabana Mahmood and Yvette Cooper are among the other names being discussed for the role.
Darren Jones, a key ally of Starmer, confirmed to LBC that he would “definitely” not remain in post once the transition is complete, saying he had spent recent weeks “writing a handover note” and “tidying up loose ends.” He acknowledged the transition period had limited his ability to act. “I’ve not been able to make new decisions in the last couple of weeks,” he said. “I’ve been able to respond to issues, whether it’s national security related or operational issues, but essentially, I’ve been spending my time making sure that’s looked after.”
Burnham keeps his cards close
Despite the scale of anticipation surrounding his premiership, Burnham has offered only limited signals about his policy priorities. Speaking to reporters after his first Commons speech since returning as an MP last month, he pointed to the cost of living as his central focus, returning to a theme he has raised before in relation to his transport projects in Manchester. “If we want to connect politics better with people, well, let’s deal with some of the pressures people are under in terms of the everyday cost of transport, the bills that they’re paying. I heard it so often on doorsteps in the campaign,” he said. “You know, life has changed for people, and it’s not necessarily got better. And I think we just need to be relentlessly focused on that.” Burnham has insisted no decisions on his top team have yet been made, even as jockeying for positions within his incoming government continues at pace.
