Sir Keir Starmer is set to hold his final cabinet meeting as he prepares for his last Prime Minister’s Questions in the top job.
The outgoing PM is expected to formally resign on Monday morning, and Andy Burnham will be coronated that afternoon.
His final PMQs comes amid the sombre backdrop of former MP Ann Widdecombe’s suspected murder, which has reignited conversation over MPs safety.
On Tuesday, Mr Burnham said a “serious review” was needed into MPs’ security following the killing.
The incoming prime minister said politics has “darkened” in the near decade since he was last in Westminster and protections may need to be “increased further.”
Meanwhile, Sir Keir is spending his final days in office highlighting what he sees as his legacy – support for Ukraine and championing domestic campaigns like the Hillsborough Law.
The prime minister told a reception on Monday: “I leave with good grace, I leave very pleased with what we’ve been able to achieve in government.
“I’m pleased to have delivered on the promises that I made to many people in this garden, and I’ll make this last promise, which is I will stand with you and walk with you for as long as I’ve got breath in my body.”
In pictures: Ministers arrive for Starmer’s final Cabinet meeting
Ministers have arrived for Sir Keir Starmer’s final Cabinet meeting before he officially resigns on Monday.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 July 2026 08:52
Burnham says ‘serious review’ into MP safety needed after Widdecombe death
Andy Burnham said a “serious review” was needed into MPs’ security following the suspected murder of Ann Widdecombe.
The incoming prime minister said politics has “darkened” in the near decade since he was last in Westminster and protections may need to be “increased further.”
Asked why he thought frontline politics had become so dangerous for serving and former politicians, the recently elected Makerfield MP told reporters outside the Commons: “I notice quite a lot of change in the building behind me 10 years away, no more so than on the question of security.
“Actually, I was quite shocked to see how much security now has to be in place, and even so, it may need to be increased further.
“Politics has darkened in the last decade, there’s no getting away from that.”
Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 July 2026 08:40
Starmer spends last days in office shoring up legacy
Sir Keir Starmer has spent his final days in office surrounding himself with those he has helped as he looks to shore up his legacy.
The outgoing prime minister, who will leave No 10 on Monday, told a reception attended by campaigners whose causes he had championed on Tuesday that they had “made me who I am”.
Speaking shortly before guiding the Hillsborough Law through its final Commons stages, Sir Keir praised the families who had fought for justice.
As well as those touched by the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, guests in the Downing Street garden included John and Penny Clough, who campaigned to get bail laws changed after the murder of their daughter Jane; Figen Murray who campaigned for changes to public safety laws after the death of her son Martyn Hett in the Manchester Arena bombing; and Pooja Kanda who championed tougher knife laws after her son Ronan was stabbed.
He told them: “I leave on Monday. I leave with good grace, I leave very pleased with what we’ve been able to achieve in government in the two years that I’ve had the privilege of being prime minister.
“I’m pleased to have delivered on the promises that I made to many people in this garden, and I’ll make this last promise, which is I will stand with you and walk with you for as long as I’ve got breath in my body.”
Nicole Wootton-Cane15 July 2026 08:34
Starmer to face Badenoch for final time at PMQsS
Sir Keir Starmer is set to face Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch across the dispatch box for the last time as prime minister on Wednesday.
The pair have come face to face across the chamber nearly every week Parliament has been sitting since Sir Keir was elected in 2024, often exchanging pointed comments and blows.
But after announcing he intended to resign, Sir Keir will formally hand over to Andy Burnham on Monday.
The next time we see PMQs after today, there will be a different face across from Ms Badenoch.
Nicole Wootton-Cane15 July 2026 08:32
Starmer to hold final cabinet ahead of Burnham’s coronation
Sir Keir Starmer is set to hold his final cabinet meeting as he prepares for his last Prime Minister’s Questions in the top job.
The leader will hold farewell talks with his senior ministers in Downing Street before taking his last Commons grilling at the despatch box at noon.
The outgoing PM is expected to formally resign on Monday morning, and Andy Burnham will be coronated that afternoon.
Maryam Zakir-Hussain15 July 2026 08:32