Starmer bids emotional farewell at final PMQs, defends record before Burnham handover
Starmer bids emotional farewell at final PMQs, defends record before Burnham handover
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.
Coverage
Read the original reportingThis brief was compiled from 3 outlets, over 4 hours of coverage. Each is listed below with the headline it led on, so you can compare them yourself.
At his final PMQs, Starmer soaked up the love from all sides – and even some tenderness from Kemi
Starmer bids MPs goodbye as British PM and pledges to support his successor
Starmer's kind send-off across the House of Commons in final PMQs
Tributes and tears as Starmer takes final Prime Minister's Questions
‘We did pull the levers’: emotional Starmer defends his record
Watch: Standing ovation for Starmer as he answers his last PMQs
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