British Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, delivered an emotional farewell in Parliament on Wednesday, telling lawmakers that it marked the “end of my political journey” as he prepared to leave office.
Speaking during his final Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), Starmer said he was proud of his time in government, receiving tributes from MPs across the political divide before leaving the House of Commons to a standing ovation.
The outgoing Prime Minister also thanked his staff, saying they had been willing to “walk through fire” for him throughout his time in office.
The 50-minute session was notably less confrontational than usual, with MPs from different parties exchanging jokes, sharing personal stories and paying tribute to Starmer’s leadership.
As he left the chamber, Labour MPs and several opposition lawmakers rose to applaud him, while members of his family watched from the public gallery.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves appeared close to tears during the session, while Labour MP, Carolyn Harris, became emotional as she praised Starmer’s character.
“Every day we see his decency and his courage shine through,” Harris said.
Starmer is expected to formally hand over power to Andy Burnham on Monday after the former Greater Manchester mayor is confirmed as Labour Party leader at a special party conference on Friday.
Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, largely avoided criticising Starmer’s record, instead commending his support for Ukraine and his relationship with Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky.
However, she took aim at Labour MPs and their incoming leader, noting that Burnham was absent from the session, as he had been during every PMQs since returning to Parliament last month.
Liberal Democrat leader, Sir Ed Davey, also paid tribute to Starmer, describing him as a “true patriot” who worked constructively with politicians across the House of Commons.
Among those watching from the gallery were campaigners Starmer had met during his time in Downing Street.
Addressing them directly, he said:
“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.”
Although he is leaving office just two years after leading Labour to a landslide election victory, Starmer was welcomed into the Commons with loud cheers from his Party’s MPs.
The session began on a sombre note as Starmer paid tribute to former Conservative Minister, Ann Widdecombe.
He described it as “chilling” that three serving or former MPs had been killed during his time in Parliament.
Badenoch also honoured Widdecombe, describing her as a woman of “high principle” with a “wicked sense of humour.”
During the exchanges, Badenoch questioned whether Burnham should appear in the House of Commons to answer questions instead of, in her words, “scurrying away for the summer.”
With Parliament due to begin its summer recess on Thursday, Burnham is not expected to face Prime Minister’s Questions until September.
She also warned Labour MPs that replacing their leader would not solve their problems, saying changing prime minister was not a “silver bullet” and that “their troubles are only just beginning.”
Asked whether he had any advice for his successor, Starmer declined to answer directly but pledged his full support.
“I will give my support privately if asked for, not publicly when not asked for,” he said.
The outgoing Prime Minister also thanked Badenoch for the support she showed following the death of his brother and after an arson attack on his family home.
The session took place just hours before England’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina, prompting several football-themed jokes in the chamber.
Conservative MP, Graham Stuart, joked that Starmer had been shown a “red card” by “400 dodgy referees.”
Liberal Democrat MP, Will Forster, asked whether Starmer’s final act as Prime Minister would be to declare a public holiday if England won the World Cup.
Starmer laughed off the suggestion, saying he did not want to “tempt fate” and advised Forster to ask him again on Sunday.
MPs also traded jokes over the Clacton by-election, triggered by the resignation of Reform U.K. leader, Nigel Farage.
The major political parties are boycotting the contest, accusing Farage, who is seeking re-election in the Essex constituency, of staging a political stunt.
As a result, most of Farage’s challengers are independent or novelty candidates.
Starmer joked that voters in Clacton should “put your vote in the bin.”
Sir Ed Davey added that he could not support “joke figures with ridiculous policies,” saying he was backing Count Binface instead.
Reform U.K. MP, Danny Kruger, hit back, arguing that “a comedian with a dustbin on his head” was an appropriate substitute for the major parties.
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