Starmer: "My work is done"

Keir Starmer delivered his final address as prime minister on Monday before traveling to Buckingham Palace to formally tender his resignation to King Charles III, capping a little more than two years in office.

"My work is done," he said outside No. 10 Downing Street. "It has been the privilege of my life to serve you and this great country as prime minister, and I am confident that Britain is now stronger and fairer than it was two years ago."

Mr. Starmer, a lawyer and former crown prosecutor, was first elected to Parliament in 2015 and replaced Jeremy Corbyn as Labour Party leader in 2020 following the party's worst electoral showing since 1935.

After moving Labour toward the center, he rode into Downing Street on the heels of the party's sweeping victory in July 2024, which ended 14 years of Conservative Party rule.

But his standing took a hit over his appointment of Peter Mandelson as British ambassador to the U.S., whom he later fired over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Labour's stinging defeat in May's local and regional elections proved the final blow, prompting the party to force him out.

Mr. Starmer said he was leaving office "with good grace" and touted what he described as his accomplishments, including a decline in National Health Service waiting lists, expanded rights for workers and renters, and a strengthened British economy.

Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, returned to Parliament in a by-election last month with the aim of replacing Mr. Starmer as Labour leader and prime minister. He formally secured the post last week after running unopposed.

"As I now pass the baton to Andy Burnham, I wish him every success," Mr. Starmer said. "He has my full support."

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