Keir Starmer on Monday extolled his achievements as the UK’s former prime minister, saying Britain is now “stronger and fairer” than it was before his administration.

Mr Starmer departed Downing Street after handing over power to his successor, Andy Burnham.

“I am confident that Britain is now stronger and fairer than it was two years ago,” Mr Starmer said in his farewell speech, reflecting on his tenure as the Labour Party’s leader and prime minister.

He announced his resignation on June 22 after caving in to pressure from over 100 of his party’s members of parliament amid a significant drop in public approval, with his party also losing in other elections.

“My work is done,” Mr Starmer said in his final speech, pointing out his government’s success in the country’s economic growth, public service, poverty reduction, security, and global reputation.

“Our economy is stronger. Our public services are on the up, with the biggest fall in waiting times for 17 years. Children are being lifted out of poverty every single day. Immigration is down significantly. Our defence and security are on a far stronger footing, and our international reputation is greatly enhanced,” he added.

Mr Starmer stated that the most rewarding part of being the UK’s prime minister was witnessing the resilience, compassion, and public service of Britons, from the National Health Service (NHS) to community volunteers.

He hailed himself for taking the Labour Party from “historic defeat” in 2019 to winning the country’s general election in 2024, when it ousted the Conservative Party.

The politician urged Britons to remain united to make the country better, even as external “enemies” attempt to divide them based on their values and support for Ukraine.

“We face a world now where our enemies will stop at nothing to divide us because of our values, our freedom, our decency, and frankly, because of our unflinching resolve towards the brave people of Ukraine. And so under this attack, it is vital that we remember the greatness of Britain all around us.

“That while we debate how to fix our problems, there is something we inherit from our country and our character that can give us confidence that we can change our country for the better; that we can create a Britain where every child can go as far as their talent will take them. And we can unite different people under our common flag if we don’t succumb to that division,” the politician said.

Mr Starmer wished Mr Burnham success, saying, “He has my full support.”

He thanked his family, his team, civil servants, and the British people for supporting his administration.

Mr Burnham was elected leader of the governing Labour Party on Friday after he emerged as the only eligible candidate, securing 379 nominations and the backing of all affiliated trade unions.

He commended Mr Starmer’s achievements, including shorter NHS waiting times and restoring the country’s global reputation, and expressed readiness to build on the foundation laid by his predecessor.

Mr Burnham, a former mayor of Manchester, is the seventh UK prime minister in a decade.