KEIR Starmer has declared “my work is done” as he delivered his final speech as Prime Minister before handing the reins to Andy Burnham.
In a brief address in Downing Street, the outgoing leader said he departed “with a smile” before heading to Buckingham Palace to officially tender his resignation to the King.
Starmer, who once set his sights on a decade in power, reflected on his two years in charge saying he was “proud of everything that we have achieved”.
The Prime Minister was forced out after his government was rocked by a series of scandals, record-breaking levels of unpopularity and a comprehensive thrashing in national and local elections earlier this year.
Speaking outside No 10 on Monday, Starmer said: “I am about to visit His Majesty the King to offer my resignation and close the book on my time as Prime Minister. My work is done.
“In six and a half years, I took our party from a historic defeat in 2019, changed it so it was fit to face the country and won a landslide general election victory in 2024.
“Since then, it has been the privilege of my life to serve you and this great country as Prime Minister, and I am confident that Britain is now stronger and fairer than it was two years ago.”
Heralding what he saw as his achievements, the outgoing Prime Minister said that the economy was “stronger” after two years under Labour, adding: “Our public services are on the up, with the biggest fall in waiting times for 17 years. Children are being lifted out of poverty every single day.
“Immigration is down significantly. Our defence and security are on a far stronger footing and our international reputation is greatly enhanced.”
Starmer's departure was preceded by the scandal surrounding the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, despite warnings from security officials and his relationship with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, and precipitated by a slew of election defeats in May.
Burnham emerged as the only contender to replace Starmer and was installed unchallenged as Labour leader on Friday. He will be appointed prime minister later on Monday.
