Serious and sombre, Sir Keir Starmer’s final Prime Minister’s Questions was overshadowed by the shocking murder of Ann Widdecombe.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch began the weekly Commons showdown by paying tribute to former Conservative minister Ms Widdecombe, who was killed last week.
Sir Keir responded: “I know that the hurt is keenly felt across all her friends and family, but it is particularly keenly felt by political colleagues in the Conservative Party for many years, and in Reform as well.”
At moments like this, Sir Keir looks and acts like a Prime Minister.
Mrs Badenoch also praised him for how he had welcomed Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky to No10 after his clash with Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the White House’s Oval Office in February 2025.
Showing how meaningful this Downing Street meeting was, Sir Keir explained: “I walked out to meet him, I gave him a hug, and then I showed him what was in the street which was many people who had come, thinking that he was visiting Downing Street.
“The moment he got out the car and hugged me, they cheered from the top of their voices, the British people, to tell President Zelensky exactly what they thought of him and the way he had been treated.”
With Mr Zelensky having been left to walk out of the White House alone with his team, Sir Keir added in a swipe at Donald Trump: “I had a meeting with him to tell him that in this country we will stand with him and Ukraine.
“I didn’t let him leave alone. I walked him out to his car because we don’t let people in Britain walk out of our buildings, we escort them out.”
At moments like this, Sir Keir looks and acts like a Prime Minister.
But when it comes to jokes, they do not always come naturally.
Mrs Badenoch called for a Clacton by-election TV debate between Nigel Farage and Count Binface, accusing the Reform UK leader of seeking to avoid scrutiny over his financial affars.
“They intend to spend the summer arguing with a bin,” the PM responded.
“My advice to everyone is put your vote in the bin.”
As an avid Arsenal fan, Sir Keir also joked, to better effect, that he had an appointment with his TV at 8pm tonight (England v Argentina).
At the end of PMQs, Sir Keir delivered his farewell.
“Every Prime Minister knows when they take up the torch that the day will come when they have to pass it on,” he said.
“That day has come for me.
“This is the end of my political journey.
“In six years, went from historic defeat in 2019 to historic victory in 2024, and in two years in government, I leave the country in better shape than I found it.
“To my successor and each of you, I will give my full support to all colleagues across the House.
“To all those in the gallery whose lives have been changed or improved by this Labour government, and all across the country who struggle to be seen or heard, you're the reason I came into politics.
“To my wife and children, I love you.
“Goodbye,” he finished to cheers by the Labour MPs who had toppled him.
At moments like this, Sir Keir looks and acts like a Prime Minister, even if only for a few more days.
