Keir Starmer Live Today: Sir Keir Starmer has completed his 64th and final Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) at the Commons Despatch Box, closing his final session as Prime Minister before stepping down. The landmark session saw Starmer face off against Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch for the final time. This brings an end to his tenure of just over two years in office, following his announcement to resign in the wake of severe local election defeats.
Keir Starmer Live Today: Sir Starmer to Face Kemi Badenoch for Final PMQs as Prime Minister
Starmer will formally step down as Labour leader on Friday, handing power to Makerfield MP Andy Burnham. Burnham is set to officially take office as Prime Minister on Monday, July 20.
While final PMQs are traditionally good-humoured, the session served as a reflection on Starmer’s legacy and a precursor to the challenges awaiting Burnham. Kemi Badenoch shifted focus toward scrutinising the policies of the incoming leader.
Ahead of the midday Commons session, Starmer chaired his final cabinet meeting at 10 Downing Street, marked by warm farewells from his frontbench team.
Keir Starmer Live Today: Anatomy of a Political Fall
Sir Keir Starmer will go down as the shortest-serving Labour Prime Minister in British history. After storming into 10 Downing Street following a landslide general election win on July 4, 2024, his premiership collapsed in just over two years.
The critical turning points that led to his resignation include:
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The Local Election Catalyst: A disastrous string of local election defeats severely fractured confidence within his own party.
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The Makerfield Straw: The final blow landed when Andy Burnham won a resounding victory in the Makerfield by-election, immediately triggering intense momentum for a leadership change.
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Policy Whiplash: His short time in office was heavily compromised by internal scandals and policy U-turns, notably on defence funding and winter fuel payments.
Keir Starmer Live Today: Final PMQs & Farewell
In his 64th and final appearance at the Despatch Box, Starmer faced a characteristically tense but traditional send-off.
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The Final Gift: Ahead of the session, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy led a cabinet whip-round to present Starmer with a carriage clock crafted by the clockmakers of Big Ben.
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The Legacy Showcase: In a calculated move before heading to Parliament, Starmer invited citizens to Downing Street whose lives had been improved by his administration’s policies to frame his legacy.
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The Final Act: One of Starmer’s closing achievements was the passing of the landmark Hillsborough Law, an initiative he championed dating back to his time as Director of Public Prosecutions.
Keir Starmer Live Today: Andy Burnham Coronation
The transition of power to Andy Burnham is effectively a formal coronation rather than a traditional battle.
Labour rules require any challenger to secure the nominations of 20% of the party’s 403 MPs (81 nominations).
Burnham has already consolidated 349 nominations (over 85% of the party). This leaves only 54 unaligned MPs, completely blocking any rival from entering the race.
Burnham will officially be named Labour leader on Friday, July 17. Following the weekend, Starmer will visit King Charles III to formally resign, and the King will invite Burnham to form a government on Monday, July 20.
Keir Starmer Live Today: Challenges Await the Next PM?
Andy Burnham will become the UK’s seventh Prime Minister in a decade, inheriting an incredibly turbulent landscape. He faces an immediate Westminster security crisis following the killing of Reform UK spokeswoman Ann Widdecombe.Â
Additionally, he must navigate severe domestic friction regarding newly imposed teenage social media curfews and major holes in national defence funding.
