Sir Keir Starmer, the outgoing Prime Minister and Labour Party leader, delivered his final answer at Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday.
The event marks the conclusion of Starmer's leadership of the Labour Party and his tenure as the head of the UK government. His departure signals a transition of power and the end of his active role in British politics.
During the session in the House of Commons, Starmer said, "this is the end of my political journey" [1]. He reflected on his time in office, saying that he is "proud of everything I have achieved" [2]. He further said, "I’ve left Britain better than I found it" [3].
As Starmer exited the chamber, Labour MPs applauded him. This gesture is a departure from standard parliamentary protocol, as applause is not normally permitted in the House of Commons [1].
Starmer served as the leader of the Labour Party for six years [4]. During that period, he spent two years as Prime Minister [4]. He is scheduled to leave Number 10 next week [5].
The final session of PMQs served as a formal farewell to the parliamentary body before the official handover of power. Starmer used his final moments at the dispatch box to summarize his legacy and address the House one last time before his retirement from public office.
“"this is the end of my political journey"”
The conclusion of Sir Keir Starmer's tenure represents a definitive end to a specific era of Labour Party leadership. By stating that this is the end of his political journey, Starmer is confirming he will not seek further office or a return to leadership, creating a clear vacancy for a new successor to guide the party's future direction.
