Sir Keir Starmer (Labour) held his first cabinet meeting since announcing his resignation as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

The meeting marks a critical phase in the British government's leadership transition. It occurs as the Labour Party faces internal challenges and prepares to appoint a successor to lead the government.

Starmer said he wants to ensure a "smooth transition" [2] of power. He will remain in his role as Prime Minister until the Labour Party chooses a new leader before Parliament returns in September [1].

The gathering took place amid reports that Labour MPs are considering challenging Andy Burnham for the party leadership [1]. This internal friction follows a period of instability within the cabinet, as four ministers have resigned in a single year over cuts to foreign aid [3].

Starmer said the public should "judge me by my actions" [4] as he manages the final days of his tenure. The focus of the current cabinet proceedings is to maintain administrative stability while the party determines its future direction.

While some reports focused on the meeting as a response to the resignation of Wes Streeting, others emphasized it as the first full cabinet session since Starmer announced his own departure [5, 6]. The Prime Minister is tasked with balancing the immediate needs of the state with the political volatility of a leadership contest.

“Judge me by my actions”

The transition period highlights a precarious moment for the Labour government. By remaining in office until September, Starmer provides a buffer of stability, but the resignation of four ministers over foreign aid and the looming leadership challenge from figures like Andy Burnham suggest deep ideological or strategic rifts within the party that the next leader must resolve.