Former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer officially left Downing Street on Monday, declaring that the United Kingdom had become a stronger and fairer nation during his two years in office.
Starmer made the remarks in a farewell address outside 10 Downing Street before heading to Buckingham Palace to formally submit his resignation to King Charles III.
“Britain is now stronger and fairer than it was two years ago,” Starmer said as he reflected on his administration’s achievements.
Expressing optimism despite his departure, he added: “I go with good grace, I go with a smile.”
The outgoing prime minister was accompanied by his wife, Victoria Starmer, as he departed the official residence, paving the way for his successor, Andy Burnham.
Starmer became prime minister in July 2024 after leading the Labour Party to a decisive election victory that brought an end to 14 years of Conservative government.
His tenure, however, ended after he announced his resignation in late June amid growing political pressure triggered by policy U-turns, mounting controversies and declining public support.
Following Starmer’s resignation, Burnham was formally invited by King Charles III to form a new government and has since assumed office as Britain’s new prime minister.
The former Mayor of Greater Manchester takes charge at a time when the country is grappling with weak economic growth, rising borrowing costs, increasing welfare expenditure and persistent challenges linked to irregular migration.
Burnham has pledged to prioritise measures aimed at easing the cost-of-living crisis, rebuilding public trust in government and transferring greater decision-making powers from Westminster to regional authorities.
Even before moving into Downing Street, the new prime minister signalled a shift in policy direction by scrapping Starmer’s proposed nationwide digital identification programme.
Burnham also said his administration would pursue an economic strategy centred on early investment and preventive action, arguing that addressing problems before they escalate would be more effective than spending heavily to resolve them later.