Keir Starmer officially departed 10 Downing Street this Monday morning, marking the end of his tenure as Prime Minister and declaring that he leaves Great Britain “stronger and fairer” for his successor, Andy Burnham.
​Addressing reporters outside the iconic black door in Westminster before traveling to Buckingham Palace to formally tender his resignation to King Charles III, Starmer reflected on his time in government.
​”We set out to rebuild the foundations of this country, restore stability, and deliver real opportunity to working families,” Starmer said in his farewell address. “While the journey is far from complete, I step aside proud in the knowledge that Britain is stronger and fairer today than when we began.”
​The transition opens the door for Andy Burnham, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester and longtime Labour figure, to assume the premiership following his return to Parliament and subsequent party leadership victory. Burnham is expected to be formally invited by the King later today to form a new government.
​Speaking briefly to supporters in Manchester before departing for London, Burnham signaled a focus on regional growth, public services, and national unity. “I want to thank Keir for his dedicated service to the nation,” Burnham stated. “Our focus now turns immediately to building on those foundations and delivering a government that serves every corner of the United Kingdom.”
​Burnham is expected to announce key cabinet appointments from Downing Street late Monday evening.
