Rachel Reeves breaks down in tears again at PMQs | Politics | News
Rachel Reeves broke down in tears at the end of Sir Keir Starmer’s latest Prime Minister’s Questions.
The outgoing Labor leader made an emotional speech to grim-faced faces in the front row in “his last reply from this inbox”.
“Every Prime Minister knows that when he picks up the torch, the day will come when he will have to pass it on,” he said, adding: “That day has come for me.”
Sir Keir will stop being Prime Minister on Monday after Makerfield MP Andy Burnham won the Labor Party Leader race as the only candidate with enough nominations.
He told MPs and a teary-eyed Chancellor: “This is the end of my political journey. In six years, we have gone from historic defeat in 2019 to historic victory in 2024.”
“And in my two years in government, I leave the country better off than I found it. I’m proud of everything we’ve accomplished.”
Ms Reeves previously made headlines after crying over Sir Keir’s refusal to commit to remaining in office during government upheaval.
Last weekend Ms Reeves told the BBC that her advice to future politicians would be not to cry on national television.
Sir Keir marked his final PMQs on Wednesday by thanking the Speaker. He said: “May I take the time to say to you, Mr Speaker, to those who work in the House and to our constituency managers, thank you for all your hard work.”
He added: “To our public service, thank you also for your hard work. To my political team who are here today on this journey with me, thank you so much for everything you have done and for being willing to walk through fire for me.”
Sir Keir told MPs he was “proud of what we have achieved together and proud of each and every one of you”.
He added: “I will give my full support to my successor and to each of you. To all my colleagues in Parliament, may I wish you good health and happiness.”
“To everyone in the gallery whose lives have been changed or improved by this Labor Government, and to everyone across the country struggling to be seen or heard, you are the reason I got into politics.”
He finished his speech by saying: “My wife and children, I love you. Goodbye.”
