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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Comment
Editorial

The Guardian view on Keir Starmer’s farewell: a dignified departure and a necessary one

Keir Starmer leaving the House of Commons after his last prime minister's questions on 15 July.
Keir Starmer leaving the House of Commons after his last prime minister's questions on 15 July. Photograph: House of Commons/AFP/Getty Images

Mercifully for a prime minister whose defenestration was swift and brutal after Labour’s catastrophic local election results in May, Sir Keir Starmer’s valedictory week has offered several opportunities to point to what he got right. Sir Keir’s steadfast record in corralling international support for Ukraine – and ensuring Britain stayed out of Donald Trump’s illegal war on Iran – will be looked on favourably by history. A minute’s applause in Paris on Monday, from leaders of the “coalition of the willing” countries, was well deserved.

On Tuesday in the House of Commons, Andy Burnham paid tribute to the outgoing prime minister for his role in drafting the bill that finally became the Hillsborough law this week. On Wednesday, serendipitously, the England team’s World Cup exploits allowed Sir Keir to indulge his passion for football during his final prime minister’s questions.

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