Sir Keir Starmer has officially resigned as Prime Minister, with Andy Burnham taking over at No. 10. In his farewell speech outside Downing Street, Starmer said: "I go with good grace, I go with a smile, and I go proud of everything we have achieved," as applause echoed through the street. He then travelled to Buckingham Palace, where King Charles III accepted his resignation, formally ending his tenure.
Starmer remains an MP
Downing Street confirmed that Starmer will continue serving as the Labour MP for Holborn and St Pancras, his central London constituency, for the remainder of his term. He is not expected to join Burnham's cabinet.
Future plans: family and international roles
Friends and allies indicate Starmer plans to spend time with his family in the short term. Longer term, he has expressed interest in staying active in international affairs. According to The Guardian, one friend said: "He's got an incredible amount of experience to offer. It feels like he'll end up doing something international-facing. That's his comfort zone and also what he's best at." Reports suggest he is interested in the role of Nato secretary general when a vacancy arises.
Financial entitlements after resignation
As a backbench MP, Starmer will earn the standard parliamentary salary of £98,599 per year. Additionally, as an outgoing Prime Minister under 65, he qualifies for a one-off ministerial severance payment equal to 25% of his annual ministerial salary, typically around £18,000 to £20,000.
Former PMs can also claim up to £115,000 per year from public funds, but this is not personal income. It is a strict expense reimbursement cap covering administrative costs, office space, and staff salaries needed to handle ongoing public duties and correspondence. Starmer is also eligible for a parliamentary and ministerial pension based on his years of service and contributions.
