Tears all round as Sir Keir says farewell in final PMQs | Politics | News
They think everything is over now. Keir Starmer bid farewell to his political career with an emotional PMQ on Wednesday and there was barely a dry eye in the house.
Rachel Reeves was in tears – she had previously been fit to turn on the waterworks – as were some of the Labor backbenchers. Carolyn Harris was so upset she could barely speak as she asked Sir Keir his final question as Prime Minister. His successor, Andy Burnham, wisely stayed away, presumably so his mascara wouldn’t run if he recovered.
As is now the tradition, the final PMQs of an outgoing premiere are somewhat of a festive affair. That’s what happened this time too, especially with the tough World Cup match between England and Argentina on everyone’s mind. Prime Ministers often list their duties before answering questions in the mailbox.
But in a departure from his weekly statement, Sir Keir told MPs: “In addition to my duties in this House, I have an important television appointment at eight o’clock this evening.” Even Sir Keir’s frequent tormentor, Kemi Badenoch, got in on the act when he made a reference to former Labor Prime Minister Harold Wilson, who was in office when England won the World Cup in 1966.
“He will no doubt be disappointed that he will not emulate his hero, Harold Wilson, in winning many elections,” the Conservative leader told the House of Commons. “But we all hope he will emulate England in another way as Prime Minister when they win the World Cup.”
And so the football theme continued, much to the delight of football fanatic Sir Keir. Reform UK deputy chairman Richard Tice said England’s football record under Sir Keir was “the greatest, most successful record of any prime minister in history”, with the Three Lions winning 76% of their matches.
Statto Starmer said he hoped to pick up two more wins before leaving office on Monday, taking England’s record to 24 from 31 victories during his tenure. But they were also incredibly emotional PMQs; for the first time since the tragic murder of former Tory MP Ann Widdecombe.
Sir Keir observed a moment of silence, stating with regret that he was the third MP or former MP to be killed in the 11 years since he entered parliament. Ms Badenoch also spoke movingly of Ms Widdecombe, who joined Nigel Farage’s Brexit Party and Reform later in her career.
However, attention inevitably turned to the outgoing Prime Minister. Sir Keir said he believed he had achieved a lot as his wife Lady Starmer and their two children watched from the House of Commons gallery.
He took a veiled swipe at his predecessor Jeremy Corbyn, saying he had eradicated anti-Semitism in the Labor Party and achieved a resounding election victory after a historic defeat.
The biggest excitement of the session came when Sir Keir answered a question from Danny Kruger, the Reform MP who has left the Conservative Party. He condemned Labor and other mainstream parties for not putting forward a candidate in the Clacton by-election, which was a de facto fight between Nigel Farage and Count Binface.
Starmer responded to shouts and chants: “I know Reformation believes in recycling politicians.” Upstairs in the packed press gallery, Game of Thrones actress Maisie Williams was watching the proceedings. The epic fantasy TV show is one of betrayal, sexual encounters and power struggles, much like British politics.
Sir Keir was given a standing ovation by Labor MPs as he left Parliament after finishing his remarks with emotional words about his family.
MPs who betrayed Burnham to bring her to power. The King is dead, long live the King in the North.
