Prime Minister Starmer bid farewell to members of the British Parliament

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who will step down next week, delivered a farewell speech during the traditional session in the House of Commons. Answering questions from MPs for the last time as head of government, he emphasized that he is leaving the United Kingdom in better shape than it was at the start of his term.

Starmer will officially step down on Monday after losing the support of his own Labour Party. Leadership of the government will pass to the new Labour leader, Andy Burnham. Commenting on his departure, Starmer—who led the party for six years and served as prime minister for two years—compared governing to a relay race, in which every leader must eventually pass the baton to a successor. Despite the end of this phase of his career, the politician plans to remain in the House of Commons as a backbencher.

The structure of the British parliamentary system allows the ruling party to change its leader and head of government without holding a general election, while the next national election is scheduled to take place no later than 2029. The weekly Prime Minister’s Questions sessions remain an important political tradition in the country, during which the head of the Cabinet responds off the cuff to pointed remarks from the opposition and other members of Parliament.

Labour’s Andy Burnham will run for the position of British prime minister.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has informed staff at his office of his final decision to resign.

Within the British Labour Party, talk has intensified about a possible leadership change and the potential resignation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is considered the leading contender to replace him.

The British Foreign Secretary has called on Starmer to resign.