Starmer Defends 2-Year Record in Final PMQs as He Prepares to Hand Power to Burnham
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 15
Starmer Defends 2-Year Record in Final PMQs as He Prepares to Hand Power to Burnham
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 15
Summary
Keir Starmer used his final Prime Minister’s Questions to mount a last defence of his two years in office, saying Labour had stabilised the economy, cut NHS waiting lists at the fastest rate in 17 years and boosted defence.
His closing answer turned emotional as he told MPs Monday would mark the end of his political journey, thanked colleagues and campaigners, and said goodbye to his wife and children from the dispatch box.
The 50-minute session largely dropped normal partisan attacks: Kemi Badenoch thanked Starmer’s family, Richard Tice praised England’s record under him, and applause broke out before Speaker Lindsay Hoyle intervened.
Starmer also paid tribute to Ann Widdecombe after her death and said he would offer only wholehearted support to both successor Andy Burnham and England ahead of Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina.
The farewell caps a rapid transition already under way, with Starmer due to hand power to Burnham on Monday after a two-year premiership brought to an end by mounting political pressure.