Starmer warns successor must focus on global affairs, calls resignation 'intensely personal'

Outgoing Prime Minister Keir Starmer has cautioned his likely successor, Andy Burnham, that managing global turmoil will demand as much attention as it did during his own tenure. Starmer, speaking in his first interview since announcing his resignation, described the decision to step down as "intensely personal" and "really tough," made in consultation with his family.

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saved the Labour Party

Starmer defended his time in office, asserting he had "saved" the Labour Party and served successfully as prime minister. He plans to remain silent under his successor, expressing a positive relationship with Burnham. Despite facing criticism for spending considerable time on the international stage, labeled by some as "never here Keir," Starmer argued that a prime minister cannot effectively separate domestic issues from global affairs.

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keep my mouth shut

"It is not sensible to think you can just separate these two things out," Starmer told the BBC. He emphasized the current global climate, stating, "We're in a more dangerous and volatile world than we've been in for probably most of my lifetime. That's not just a phrase, that's reality."

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It is not sensible to think you can just separate these two things out

Starmer detailed the difficult process of his resignation, which followed Burnham's victory in the Makerfield by-election. He spent a weekend at Chequers with his wife, Victoria, and their teenage children, grappling with what was best for himself, the country, and the government. Ultimately, he concluded that ending his political career was a deeply personal choice he wished to make with his family.

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No, I don't think it is possible