Andy Burnham is set to succeed Starmer on Monday, shortly after he is anticipated to meet King Charles III for the invitation to form the new government.
Outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared on Wednesday his «full support» for his successor as he readies to pass leadership to premier-in-waiting Andy Burnham.
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«I will extend my full support to the person who takes over. My aim is for this Labour government to succeed,» he stated when questioned during his last weekly interrogation by MPs in parliament about advice for his successor.
«I want the country to do well. I will provide my support privately if requested but not publicly unsolicited.»
Burnham is projected to be officially confirmed as Labour’s leader on Friday after winning strong backing from the party’s 403 MPs and major trade unions.
Given the party’s sizeable majority in the 650-seat House of Commons, he is set to become the next prime minister automatically.
Starmer declared his intention to resign last month, succumbing to months of mounting pressure following numerous scandals, mistakes, and policy reversals.
These issues marred his two-year term after leading Labour to victory in the 2024 elections, ending 14 years in opposition.
‘Not a quick fix’
Across-party MPs expressed their well wishes to Starmer, acknowledging his public service and encouraging him to support England’s upcoming World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday, and the final against Spain on Sunday.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also toned down her rhetoric but criticized Starmer, stating: «He spent a long time mocking my loss of party control. He should have focused on managing his own backbenchers instead of mine.»
«Appointing a new prime minister is not a quick fix. In fact, the Labour Party’s difficulties may only just be starting,» Badenoch commented.
«Addressing the country’s core challenges will require tough choices.»
Burnham will be Britain’s seventh prime minister within the last ten years.
MPs applauded enthusiastically as avid football enthusiast Starmer bid a firm «Goodbye» from the parliamentary dispatch box, mentioning his plans to watch the World Cup match live at 8:00 pm CET.
«This marks the conclusion of my political career,» he noted, although he intends to continue serving as an MP for the foreseeable future.
«After two years in office, I leave the nation in improved condition. I take pride in all that has been accomplished.»
Finance minister Rachel Reeves, seated beside him and reportedly poised to lose her cabinet position, was visibly moved to tears.
Additional sources • AFP