{"id":1729,"date":"2026-07-15T18:07:56","date_gmt":"2026-07-15T18:07:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=1729"},"modified":"2026-07-15T18:07:56","modified_gmt":"2026-07-15T18:07:56","slug":"starmer-says-his-political-journey-is-over-at-his-last-question-session-as-uk-leader","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=1729","title":{"rendered":"Starmer says his political journey is over at his last question session as UK leader"},"content":{"rendered":"
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LONDON (AP) \u2014 Prime Minister Keir Starmer<\/span> said that he was leaving the United Kingdom in \u201cbetter shape than I found it\u201d as he fielded questions, criticism and even a bit of praise from lawmakers in the House of Commons for the last time on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

Read more China and Xi are seen more favorably than the US and Trump in many nations, new survey says<\/a><\/p>\n

Starmer, who leaves office next week<\/span>, bid farewell to the boisterous weekly Prime Minister\u2019s Questions<\/span> sessions where he has traded barbs with opposition politicians and defended his government\u2019s record. On Monday, he will step down as prime minister after losing the support of his Labour Party, handing over power to a new Labour leader, Andy Burnham<\/span>.<\/p>\n

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Recently elected UK lawmaker Andy Burnham has been referred to as \u201clikely Britain\u2019s next Prime Minister\u201d, following the resignation of current Prime Minister Keir Starmer. But why isn\u2019t there a general election, if the country is getting a new leader? Well, in the UK, it\u2019s all about the parties. The Associated Press\u2019s Luke Garratt explains. (Produced by Luke Garratt)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cEvery prime minister knows when they take up the torch that the day will come when they have to pass it on,\u201d said Starmer, who has spent six years as leader of the Labour Party and two as prime minister. <\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the end of my political journey,\u201d he said, though he plans to remain a backbench lawmaker for now.<\/p>\n

Britain\u2019s parliamentary democracy allows governing parties to change leaders, and thus prime ministers, without the need for a general election. The next national election doesn\u2019t have to be held until 2029.<\/p>\n

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PMQs is a weekly ritual in British politics, where the prime minister answers questions, from opposition party leaders and others, on topics they don\u2019t know in advance. A test of leaders\u2019 ability to think on their feet, it is derided by some as political pantomime that generates more noise than insight.<\/p>\n

Starmer\u2019s valedictory session was a gentler affair, mixing seriousness and political criticism with personal tributes and jokes about an upcoming special election<\/span> pitting Reform UK leader Nigel Farage<\/span> against the comedy candidate Count Binface.<\/p>\n

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Starmer opened by saying he was \u201chorrified\u201d at the killing last week of the former lawmaker Ann Widdecombe<\/span>. Counterterrorism police are investigating it as murder.<\/p>\n

Starmer called it \u201cchilling\u201d that three serving or former members have been killed during his 11 years in Parliament, and urged politicians to \u201cdo more to defend our democracy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Instead of mentioning upcoming meetings with ministers, as he has every other week, Starmer said that he had \u201can important appointment with the television\u201d later when England faces Argentina<\/span> in a World Cup semifinal.<\/p>\n

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Kemi Badenoch \u2014 the fourth leader of the opposition Conservative Party since 2022 \u2014 cautioned Labour that changing leaders is no \u201csilver bullet,\u201d and recalled how Starmer had predicted she wouldn\u2019t last a year in charge.<\/p>\n

\u201cLife comes at you fast,\u201d Badenoch said.<\/p>\n

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