Keir Starmer's political rivals write his obituary

Sir Keir Starmer ‘hasn't achieved much’ as Prime Minister, Kemi Badenoch has told LBC as she tore into his list of achievements following his dramatic resignation on Monday.

Sir Keir rattled off a list of his greatest accomplishments as PM in an emotional resignation speech yesterday morning.

They include, according to Sir Keir, an economy that is stronger and growing faster than our peers, wages rising faster than inflation in every single month since Labour came to power, investment secured, infrastructure being built, and an end to austerity.

But speaking to LBC’s Nick Ferrari at Breakfast, the Tory leader refused to recognise any successes achieved during Sir Keir’s premiership.“I don't know what he was talking about. I do not recognise that at all,” Mrs Badenoch told Nick.

She added: “Unemployment has risen every single month since Labour came into office because they killed jobs with that first disastrous budget.”

Sir Keir delivered his resignation speech outside Downing Street yesterday alongside his wife Victoria and members of his cabinet.

He said: “Six years ago, I inherited a Labour Party that was politically, financially and morally bankrupt. I was told, time and time again, that my party was finished.

“That we were consigned to history, that a majority at the general election, let alone a landslide majority, was impossible. But we proved those people wrong because we changed our party.

“Ripping out the poison of antisemitism, restoring trust on the economy, defence, and national security.”

But Ms Badenoch pointed out that one key person was noticeably absent as the PM addressed the country.

She said: “Wasn't it a disgrace that Rachel Reeves, who's 50% of the reason why Labour has been terrible, wasn't there? Instead, she was taking selfies with Andy Burnham.” “This is what they're like. They won't do the right thing and they won't take responsibility, and instead they pretend that they have achievements. I felt very sorry for Keir Starmer, to be honest.”

Andy Burnham looks primed to replace Sir Keir as PM after his decisive by-election win in Makerfield last week. Sir Keir resigned after the former Manchester mayor trounced Reform in the northern constituency, and hours before Mr Burnham was sworn in as an MP.

Mrs Badenoch told Nick: “What worries me is that people like Andy Burnham and others think that government is a popularity contest. It's about how much you can give away, how many freebies you can give away, rather than looking after the safety and security of the nation.”

But Mr Burnham still faces leadership challenges from two key rivals with his path to No10 not yet fully cleared.

Cabinet minister Darren Jones and former armed forces minister Al Carns are being considered as potential candidates by Labour MPs wary about installing Mr Burnham in No 10 without a contest.

Mr Jones, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister and a key ally of Sir Keir Starmer, is one potential candidate with support from those loyal to the outgoing Labour leader.

Sources close to Mr Jones said he was not currently minded to run in a contest but that he would want assurances on Mr Burnham’s approach to economic policy, amid concerns among some of potential unease in the markets.

Mr Burnham is set to make a major speech next week to set out key aspects of his economic policy, including confirmation he will stick to the current Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ rules for managing the public finances.

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