Keir Starmer holds final PMQs before handing over to Andy Burnham

The outgoing Labour leader will have final talks with his senior ministers in No 10 before taking his last PMQsGood morning. Everyone likes a leaving do and today it’s Keir Starmer’s, or at least his parliamentary one. If the colleague who is going is someone you like and admire, then the chance to see them thanked and celebrated is welcome. And if the colleague who is going is someone that you don’t like, or who has stayed too long, then that’s even better. At a good leaving do, there are also decent jokes. And, in politics, a final PMQs is one of the rare moments when even opponents tend to be polite and respectful (which is something people watching from outside the circus tend to like).Starmer is chairing his last cabinet meeting this morning, and taking his final PMQs at noon. Doubtless he has had a chance to study how his predecessors handled this challenge, and he may have read what Tony Blair said on the day he left the Commons – worth quoting again because it is a good summary for those of us who think politics is still a worthy calling.Some may belittle politics but we who are engaged in it know that it is where people stand tall. Although I know that it has many harsh contentions, it is still the arena that sets the heart beating a little faster. If it is, on occasions, the place of low skulduggery, it is more often the place for the pursuit of noble causes. I wish everyone, friend or foe, well. That is that. The end. Continue reading...

Outgoing prime minister will formally hand power to Andy Burnham on Monday

Keir Starmer is giving his swan song at PMQs after holding one final Cabinet meeting, with his Downing Street exit looming on Monday.

Keir Starmer is giving his swan song at PMQs after holding one final Cabinet meeting, with his Downing Street exit looming on Monday.

Sir Keir set to hold final Cabinet talks with senior ministers before heading to the Commons for his last Prime Minister’s Questions