Key facts
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces his final Prime Minister's Questions in Parliament on Wednesday.
- Starmer will step down from office next week, handing power to Labour leader Andy Burnham.
- Starmer's two-year tenure was impacted by economic difficulties and perceived missteps.
- Andy Burnham, former mayor of Greater Manchester, is the only candidate to succeed Starmer.
- Starmer received the Legion of Honor during Bastille Day celebrations in Paris.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to face lawmakers for his final Prime Minister's Questions session on Wednesday before departing office next week. Starmer, who has served for two years, will hand over leadership of the Labour Party and the country to Andy Burnham.
Starmer's premiership, which began with a landslide victory in July 2024, has been characterized by challenges in delivering economic growth, improving public services, and managing the cost of living crisis. His tenure was further complicated by decisions such as appointing Peter Mandelson as U.K. ambassador to the United States. Following significant losses in local elections in May, Starmer faced mounting pressure to resign.
Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, is the sole candidate in the race to succeed Starmer as Labour leader and is expected to be formally announced on Friday. British parliamentary rules allow for changes in leadership, and thus prime ministers, without necessitating a general election, with the next national election not due until 2029.
In his final parliamentary session, Starmer is anticipated to highlight his government's domestic policy successes, including enhanced renter protections, a higher minimum wage, and legislation aimed at preventing official cover-ups of tragedies. He is also expected to address his foreign policy initiatives, such as supporting Ukraine and mending relations with the European Union post-Brexit. Starmer recently attended Bastille Day celebrations in Paris, where French President Emmanuel Macron awarded him the Legion of Honor for his contributions to European security. He also hosted a reception at 10 Downing Street to thank supporters who advocated for accountability after losing loved ones.