Read: Keir Starmer’s final statement as Prime Minister

Keir Starmer has officially stepped down as Prime Minister, handing his resignation to King Charles III on Monday 20 July 2026.

Starmer’s resignation follows the election of Andy Burnham as leader of the Labour Party on Friday 17 July, placing the former Manchester mayor and newly-elected MP for Makerfield to succeed Starmer as the UK’s next Prime Minister.

In his farewell speech to the nation, Starmer said he was proud of the work his team had done during this government, saying that he was leaving the country in a stronger position then when he first took office two years ago.

He highlighted the danger of the situation in Ukraine, and stressed the need for Britain to unite behind a common identity and resolve to support the country’s defence. He said that it was vital for people in the UK to remember the greatness of Britain all around them.

Andy Burnham appointed as PM

In his speech, Starmer passed the torch on to Andy Burnham, who has now officially been appointed as Prime Minister.

Following Starmer’s resignation, Burnham travelled to meet the King, and Buckingham Palace has officially announced his appointment as Prime Minister and First Lord of the Treasury.

Burnham aims to offer a break from the politics of the past without attempting to chase support by emulating the Greens or Reform UK.

In his first speech as Labour leader, he decried toxic politics and briefing culture, and said he would win back the support of the people by setting a direction that is distinctively Labour.

Burnham said this was ‘a last chance to change’, and said his government would break with the neoliberalism of the past four decades to take more radical action with the goal of supporting working people across Britain.

Starmer’s final statement

Below, in full, is the final statement by Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom:

Today I am here 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. I am confident that Britain is now stronger and fairer than it was two years ago.

Our economy is stronger. 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.

Yet the thing I will always take away with me, the most humbling aspect of this job, is the front row seat you get to witness the greatest things of this country in action. To see, every day, immeasurable acts of resolve, grit, decency and compassion. From people who serve our country, whether that’s in their regimental colours, NHS scrubs, or simply the millions of people in their communities who volunteer their time and their effort to the ground beneath their feet.

We face a world now where our enemies will stop at nothing to divide us because of our values, our freedom, our decency, and frankly, because of our unflinching resolve towards the brave people of Ukraine. And so under this attack, it is vital that we remember the greatness of the Britain all around us. That while we debate how to fix our problems, there is something we inherit from our country and our character that can give us confidence that we can change our country for the better; that we can create a Britain where every child can go as far as their talent will take them. And we can unite different people under our common flag if we don’t succumb to that division.

So, as I now pass the baton to Andy Burnham, I wish him every success. He has my full support.

And finally, I want to thank once again my family, Vic and our children, my team, all the staff here and across the Labour Party, everyone at Number 10 and across the civil service, and everyone who has supported our efforts along the way.

For all the focus on individuals, politics will always be a team sport. And the changes we’ve delivered for our country and our party belong to everyone who has fought for them. I thank them again today.

And I thank the British people for the opportunity to serve. I go with good grace, I go with a smile, and I go proud of everything that we have achieved. Thank you very much.

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