𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

More than 15 cabinet ministers are believed to have snubbed Sir Keir Starmer’s final speech as prime minister. Express political reporter Aaron Newbury said only four ministers were visible outside 10 Downing Street for Sir Keir’s farewell, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, Housing Secretary Steve Reed and Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Darren Jones.

Dozens of workers filled the pavements in solidarity behind the former prime minister, making the suspected absence of his senior leadership even more profound. His cabinet consisted of 21 members, including home secretary Shabana Mahmood who is rumoured to become the next chancellor for Andy Burnham, who has taken over as prime minister today.

Rachel Reeves nodded along in the background as Sir Keir said he left the UK in a better place following his two-year tenure.

Sir Keir said the economy was stronger, public services were on the up, children were being lifted out of poverty, immigration was down and the UK’s international reputation was “greatly enhanced”.

“We face a world now where our enemies will stop at nothing to divide us because of our values,” he said. Under this attack, he said it was “vital” to remember the “greatness of Britain all around us”.

He was then driven to Buckingham Palace to formely offer his resignation to King Charles, before Andy Burnham was sworn in as the UK’s 59th prime minister.

Several cabinet members are eyeing up new roles under Burnham’s leadership. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is rumoured to be eyeing up her old job as home secretary, though John Healey, who quit as defence secretary in protest over funding, has also been linked to this role. Culture secretary Lisa Nandy has been rumoured for the education secretary position.

He is expected to scrap plans for digital ID, to shift focus to “the daily priorities facing people across the country”. The new PM is also expected to announce plans to imminently start drilling for oil and gas in the North Sea.

Burnham’s team sent out a policy document promising a cut in business rates for pubs and music venues by 20%, which would be covered by higher taxes on warehouses used by the likes of Amazon.