Politics
Starmer bids emotional farewell at final PMQs, defends record before Burnham handover
July 15, 2026 at 01:24 PM
Coverage
6 reports · over 4 hours
TGThe Guardian
At his final PMQs, Starmer soaked up the love from all sides – and even some tenderness from Kemi
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AJAl Jazeera English
Starmer bids MPs goodbye as British PM and pledges to support his successor
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BNBBC News
Starmer's kind send-off across the House of Commons in final PMQs
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BNBBC News
Tributes and tears as Starmer takes final Prime Minister's Questions
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TGThe Guardian
‘We did pull the levers’: emotional Starmer defends his record
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BNBBC News
Watch: Standing ovation for Starmer as he answers his last PMQs
(opens the publisher’s site)Keir Starmer has answered his last Prime Minister’s Questions, defending his government’s record and receiving a standing ovation before handing over to Andy Burnham on 20 July.
- Starmer said the government had “pulled the levers” to stabilise the economy and reduce NHS waiting lists.
- He received a standing ovation from MPs after thanking his family and stating: “To my wife and children, I love you. Goodbye.”
- Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch asked why Starmer had once said “when he pulled the levers, nothing happened”; Starmer replied by listing policy achievements.
- Andy Burnham is set to become Labour leader and take office as prime minister on 20 July.
Latest developments
- Jul 15 — Starmer described the session as the 'end of my political journey', expressing pride in his achievements.
- Jul 15 — The session featured cross-party tributes, jokes, and tears from allies, with Rachel Reeves appearing emotional.