Keir Starmer's final speech as Prime Minister: 20 July
2026
"Today I am here to offer my resignation and close the book on my
time as Prime Minister. My work is done.
In six and a half years, I took our party from a historic defeat
in 2019, changed it so it was fit to face the country and won a
landslide general election victory in 2024.
Since then, it has been the privilege of my life to serve you and
this great country as Prime Minister.
I am confident that Britain is now stronger and fairer than it
was two years ago.
Our economy is stronger. Our public services are on the up, with
the biggest fall in waiting times for 17 years.
Children are being lifted out of poverty every single day.
Immigration is down significantly. Our defence and security are
on a far stronger footing. And our international reputation is
greatly enhanced.
Yet the thing I will always take away with me, the most humbling
aspect of this job, is the front row seat you get to witness the
greatest things of this country in action. To see, every day,
immeasurable acts of resolve, grit, decency and compassion.
From people who serve our country, whether that's in their
regimental colours, NHS scrubs, or simply the millions of people
in their communities who volunteer their time and their effort to
the ground beneath their feet.
We face a world now where our enemies will stop at nothing to
divide us because of our values, our freedom, our decency, and
frankly, because of our unflinching resolve towards the brave
people of Ukraine.
And so under this attack, it is vital that we remember the
greatness of the Britain all around us, that while we debate how
to fix our problems, there is something we inherit from our
country and our character that can give us confidence that we can
change our country for the better; that we can create a Britain
where every child can go as far as their talent will take them.
And we can unite different people under our common flag if we
don't succumb to that division.
So, as I now pass the baton to Andy , I wish him every success. He has
my full support.
And finally, I want to thank once again my family, Vic and our
children, my team, all the staff here and across the Labour
Party, everyone at Number 10 and across the civil service, and
everyone who has supported our efforts along the way.
For all the focus on individuals, politics will always be a team
sport. And the changes we've delivered for our country and our
party belong to everyone who has fought for them. I thank them
again today.
And I thank the British people for the opportunity to serve. I go
with good grace, I go with a smile, and I go proud of everything
that we have achieved. Thank you very much."
