Starmer Bids Farewell to Commons, Declares Political Journey Complete at Final PMQs

LONDON — Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared he was leaving the United Kingdom “in better shape than I found it” as he faced lawmakers in the House of Commons for the final time on Wednesday, fielding a mixture of questions, criticism, and praise.

Starmer, who is set to leave office next week, bid farewell to the boisterous weekly Prime Minister’s Questions sessions where he has sparred with opposition figures and defended his government’s record. On Monday, he will formally step down as prime minister after losing the confidence of his Labour Party, handing power to the new Labour leader, Andy Burnham.

“Every prime minister knows when they take up the torch that the day will come when they have to pass it on,” said Starmer, who spent six years as Labour leader and two as prime minister. “This is the end of my political journey,” he added, though he intends to remain a backbench lawmaker for the time being.

Britain’s parliamentary system allows governing parties to change leaders — and thus prime ministers — without requiring a general election. The next national vote is not required until 2029.

The session blended somber reflection and political sparring with personal tributes and humor. Starmer opened by expressing horror at the killing last week of former lawmaker Ann Widdecombe, a murder now under investigation by counterterrorism police. He called it “chilling” that three serving or former members have been killed during his 11 years in Parliament, urging politicians to “do more to defend our democracy.”

Breaking with tradition, Starmer skipped the usual rundown of upcoming ministerial meetings, noting instead that he had “an important appointment with the television” later to watch England face Argentina in a World Cup semifinal.

Kemi Badenoch — the fourth Conservative opposition leader since 2022 — cautioned that changing leaders is no “silver bullet” for Labour, recalling Starmer’s prediction that she would not last a year in charge. “Life comes at you fast,” Badenoch remarked.

Starmer won a landslide election in July 2024 but is departing after two years marred by missteps and errors in judgment that eroded his standing with both his party and the public. He struggled to deliver promised economic growth, repair strained public services, and ease the cost-of-living crisis. His tenure was further hampered by controversies, including the appointment of Peter Mandelson — a figure linked to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal — as U.K. ambassador to the United States.

Following a drubbing in May’s local elections, Starmer succumbed to mounting internal pressure and announced his resignation. Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, emerged as the sole candidate to succeed him and will be confirmed as the new Labour leader on Friday.

On Monday, Starmer will travel to Buckingham Palace to tender his resignation to King Charles III, who will then invite Burnham to form a government.

During his final PMQs, Starmer highlighted domestic achievements, including stronger worker protections, a reduction in child poverty, legislation to prevent official cover-ups after tragedies, and increased defense spending. “I am proud to leave this country in better shape than I found it,” he said.

Starmer has been widely praised for his foreign policy, particularly for repairing relations with European Union neighbors post-Brexit and rallying international support for Ukraine against Russia’s full-scale invasion. On Tuesday, he attended Bastille Day celebrations in Paris with French President Emmanuel Macron, who awarded him the Legion of Honor for his work on European security. The two nations have spearheaded efforts to build an international coalition to support a potential ceasefire in Ukraine.

Ukraine’s cause enjoys broad cross-party backing in Britain. Badenoch commended Starmer for inviting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to London immediately after the Ukrainian leader faced a hostile reception from U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House last year. Starmer recalled the public gathering at Downing Street gates to cheer Zelenskyy, describing the moment the president embraced him as a powerful expression of British solidarity.

The typically rambunctious chamber fell silent as Starmer concluded by thanking colleagues, staff, civil servants, and “those who struggle to be seen or heard — you’re the reason I came into politics.” He offered a personal “I love you” to his wife, Victoria, and their two teenage children, watching from the gallery, before a final, simple “Goodbye.”

Lawmakers from across the chamber rose in a standing ovation.

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