Category: Parliament

  • Andy Burnham – 2026 First Speech as Prime Minister

    Andy Burnham – 2026 First Speech as Prime Minister

    The speech made by Andy Burnham, the Prime Minister, on 20 July 2026.

    I have just come from Buckingham Palace, where I have accepted His Majesty the King’s invitation to form a government.

    In doing so, I am acutely conscious that I am the sixth person in the last ten years to walk up this street, the seventh Prime Minister since 2016.

    Making this a moment for reflection and new resolution.

    It requires my generation of politicians to raise our game, and rise to the new challenge.

    Britain needs to show the world that we can regain our stability once again, and that is our challenge, to make politics work, to make it work better.

    I know people at home are fed up with politics. I hear you. And I want to be honest with you. We have not been good enough, and we need to be better.

    We will be.

    We will make this moment a circuit breaker for Britain, bringing forward the biggest changes in the last forty years.

    A new political model and a new economic model.

    In the 1980s, Britain took some wrong turns. Political power was centralised, economic power privatised, large parts of the country de-industrialised, and they still haven’t recovered.

    Many feel as though they’re still in decline, and they don’t have the ability to turn things around.

    And that’s why we will change politics, to make it more collaborative, more about problem solving than point scoring.

    We will take power out of here and carry it into every postcode in the land so that they can do more.

    And in doing more, build a new economy where we put life’s essentials back under stronger public control to make them affordable to you again.

    Re-industrialising Britain, using public procurement to back British industry.

    Later this year, I will bring forward a new plan for Britain, a 10-year plan, laying out a path from where we are now to where I believe we all want Britain to be, wherever we’re coming from, whatever party we support.

    But I can do something to give people some breathing space now, some help with the cost of living.

    And I will set out some of those measures starting tomorrow, including how we pay for them.

    We will help more young people into work by changing the education system and giving them more support, more mental health support.

    And we will build more council homes.

    That is the fair and sustainable way to bring the welfare bill down, to meet our fiscal rules, and to honour our commitments on defence to our international partners.

    We will help people to live well, building a more preventative state, investing in people’s success, rather than paying for failure.

    And that work starts now.

    I will soon go through that door behind me and issue my first instruction: to end rough sleeping in our country.

    It’s about putting the right values and the right standards at the heart of government.

    I will put the care of people at the heart of everything I do.

    I will give this my all, and I ask you all to pull with me.

    Let’s build a new national sense of unity, of common purpose and positivity.

    Let us make this the moment when Britain starts to believe again.

    The moment we bring back hope.

    Thank you very much everybody.

  • Keir Starmer – 2026 Final Answer at PMQs

    Keir Starmer – 2026 Final Answer at PMQs

    The final answer given by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, at PMQs in the House of Commons on 15 July 2026.

    I thank my hon. Friend for her question, her support and her friendship for me, Vic and the kids. Whatever the challenge, she has always been there for us, particularly Vic and the kids, and I really thank her for that.

    This will be my last answer from this Dispatch Box. Every Prime Minister knows when they take up the torch that the day will come when they have to pass it on. That day has come for me. This is the end of my political journey. In six years, we went from historic defeat in 2019 to historic victory in 2024, and after two years in government, I leave the country in better shape than I found it in. I am proud of everything that we have achieved.

    Can I just take time to say to you, Mr Speaker, and to all those who work for the House and in our constituency offices, thank you for all your hard work? To our civil service, thank you, also, for all your hard work. To my political team—many of them here today—who came on this journey with me, thank you so much for everything you have done, and for being prepared to walk through fire for me. To my colleagues on the Labour Benches, I am proud of all we have achieved together, and proud of each and every one of you. To my successor and each of you, I will give my full support. To all colleagues across the House, I wish you good health and happiness. To all those in the Gallery whose lives have been changed or improved by this Labour Government, and all those across the country who struggle to be seen or heard, you are the reason I came into politics. To my wife and children, I love you. Goodbye. [Applause.]

  • Ed Davey – 2026 Comments on Keir Starmer at the Final PMQs

    Ed Davey – 2026 Comments on Keir Starmer at the Final PMQs

    The comments made by Ed Davey, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, in the House of Commons on 15 July 2026.

    I associate myself with so many of the Prime Minister’s comments today, but particularly with his remarks about Ann Widdecombe. She devoted her life to public service and her murder was truly horrifying. I support his campaign for a memorial to her in this Chamber. I also thank the Leader of the Opposition for her tribute to Ann, and for reminding the whole House and the whole country that we need to remember her for the way she lived her life. I have to make a confession: I have always been slightly jealous of Ann for appearing on “Strictly Come Dancing”. [Hon. Members: “There’s still time!”]

    Can I join the whole nation, and hopefully every nation, in wishing England well against Argentina tonight after their superb win against Norway? It is the last job of the Prime Minister to make sure that we win the world cup.

    Can I also pick up on a remark from the Leader of the Opposition about the by-election we are about to see in Clacton? I have to tell her that I cannot back joke figures with ridiculous policies, which is why I am supporting Count Binface. [Laughter.]

    As the Prime Minister finds himself with more time on his hands, can I recommend the new “Toy Story” film? For those who do not know the films, the main character used to be in law enforcement, but was mainly known for being a little wooden, and was replaced by a shiny new action figure from far away who thinks he can fly—and the name Andy is on everyone’s lips. Maybe the Prime Minister should give that a miss, but does he share my fear that when it comes to Britain’s national debt, the plan of the right hon. Member for Makerfield (Andy Burnham) is “to infinity and beyond”?

    The Prime Minister

    The right hon. Gentleman is clearly angling to go on “Strictly Come Dancing”, and no doubt he would be very good at it. I have some good news for him because he is, fittingly, the right hon. Member for Chessington World of Adventures. He talks about the economy, so I am pleased to tell him that thanks to our summer savings, his family could save nearly £20 when they visit this summer!

    Ed Davey

    Can I invite the Prime Minister to join me at Chessington World of Adventures? We have not always agreed across the Floor, but can I pay my own tribute—[Interruption.] I disagreed with Labour on Europe, and I have disagreed with the Conservatives on Europe! I say to the Prime Minister that, although we have not always agreed, I have always admired the way he has led his party, I have always admired the way he has been a true patriot, and I always admire the way he has worked with so many people across this House to do the best for the national interest. We thank him for his public service.

    One of the Prime Minister’s qualities that people most underestimate comes from his experience as a carer. He has spoken powerfully about looking after his mother through her battle with Still’s disease and the love and care he gave to his brother Nick. I know the Prime Minister agrees that we can and must do more for family carers. As he leaves No. 10, will he join me and other carers across this House to speak up for family carers, to be their voice and to get them the support they deserve?

    The Prime Minister

    Yes. I thank the right hon. Gentleman for everything he has done in relation to social care and the importance of providing care. He does it with very real human experience, which we all know and we all respect, and no doubt he will continue to champion the issue, as everybody should. He asked me about joining him at Chessington World of Adventures, and I will. Can I suggest 12 noon on the first Wednesday in September? [Laughter.]

  • Kemi Badenoch – 2026 Comments on Ann Widdecombe and Keir Starmer

    Kemi Badenoch – 2026 Comments on Ann Widdecombe and Keir Starmer

    The comments made by Kemi Badenoch, the Leader of the Opposition, in the House of Commons on 15 July 2026.

    Can I start by thanking the Prime Minister for the way that he responded to the murder of Ann Widdecombe last week? This is the first opportunity I have had on the Floor of the House to commemorate her life. A lot has been said about how she died. I want to focus on celebrating the life she lived.

    Ann was a woman of high principle and profound beliefs, with a wicked sense of humour—a wonderful combination of being a serious person who did not take herself too seriously. She changed her faith from Anglican to Catholic and from the Conservative party to the Brexit party, but she always remained part of the Conservative family. You might not always have agreed with her, but Ann Widdecombe was a woman who said what she meant and meant what she said. Hers was an honesty that made our politics better. Her wit and forthrightness sat alongside a deep humanity and decency.

    Ann had wonderful turns of phrase. She said:

    “We need less political correctness and more political courage.”

    She said:

    “If we deny our culture, become nothing and everything, that weakens us.”

    She also said:

    “It is a truth universally unacknowledged at Westminster that there is life after politics.”

    With that in mind, I turn to this Prime Minister’s final questions. Mr Speaker, I wanted to make sure that I got the tone right today, so I looked back at the Prime Minister’s final questions to Boris Johnson. Luckily for the Prime Minister, I plan to be much gentler than he was that day.

    Week after week, the Prime Minister and I have clashed at these Dispatch Boxes and rarely agreed on anything, but there is one thing that I admired. When President Zelensky was attacked in the White House, the Prime Minister showed leadership and invited him to Downing Street. That was the right thing to do. Ukraine is on the frontline in the battle for freedom, so does the Prime Minister agree that cross-party support for their cause must endure?

  • Keir Starmer – 2026 Comments on Ann Widdecombe at PMQs

    Keir Starmer – 2026 Comments on Ann Widdecombe at PMQs

    The comments made by Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, on 15 July 2026.

    Thank you, Mr Speaker, for your kind words.

    I must start by saying that I am truly horrified by the murder of Ann Widdecombe. She was a distinguished politician with deep convictions, whose vivid and fearless character captured the public imagination. My heartfelt condolences go out to all her friends and loved ones.

    It is chilling that during my time in this Parliament—11 years—three serving or former MPs have been murdered. I look across the Chamber at the shield for our dear friend Jo Cox, and at the shield for Sir David Amess, which sits on the wall behind me. I know that this is a House matter, so this is my personal view, but I believe it would be fitting for the House to consider a similar tribute to Ann.

    We thank the police for their work. The integrity of their investigation must be protected. You have been instrumental in defending the safety of every Member of this House, Mr Speaker. I believe we must do more to defend our democracy, and have tasked officials across Government with identifying the best mechanisms for taking this work forward so that it can move as quickly as possible. I hope that the whole House can unite behind that in the months ahead.

    I also pay tribute to the courage of the Hillsborough families. The Hillsborough law that we passed in this House last night is not only a law for the families and the 97, but a law that ensures that the state serves millions of working people and always gives a voice to those who fight for justice—a law for everyone, delivered by a Labour Government in the best traditions of the labour movement.

    This morning, I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others. In addition to my duties in this House, I have an important appointment with the television at 8 o’clock this evening.

  • Lindsay Hoyle – 2026 Comments on Keir Starmer’s Final PMQs

    Lindsay Hoyle – 2026 Comments on Keir Starmer’s Final PMQs

    The comments made by Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons, on 15 July 2026.

    We now come to the final Prime Minister’s questions of this term, and, indeed, the final Prime Minister’s questions with the right hon. and learned Member for Holborn and St Pancras (Keir Starmer) as Prime Minister. I thank the Prime Minister for his public service and his international leadership, particularly in his steadfast support for Ukraine. I am sure that Members will want to join me in wishing him and his family well in the future. Let us hope that this Prime Minister will be bringing home an England world cup win.

  • Nigel Farage – 2026 Comments on the Clacton By-Election

    Nigel Farage – 2026 Comments on the Clacton By-Election

    The comments made by Nigel Farage on 9 July 2026.

    My mandate starts and ends with the voters in Clacton. End of.

    They are the people that really matter in all this. That’s why I’ve always fought for their voices to be heard.

    When Labour and the Tories conspired to cancel the Essex local elections in 2025, they were running scared. They knew their game was up so they silenced the electorate.

    I called them out then and I’m calling them out now. I relentlessly lobbied and campaigned for the voters’ rights to have their say.

    The result? We forced Labour to U-turn on cancelling elections and Reform swept the board in Tendring.

    The establishment colluded against the voters to deny them a voice in 2025, and they are colluding again to deny them the MP that they voted for.

    Let Clacton be my judge.

  • Rachel Reeves – 2026 Comments on Nigel Farage By-Election

    Rachel Reeves – 2026 Comments on Nigel Farage By-Election

    The comments made by Rachel Reeves, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on 8 July 2026.

    I will accept Nigel Farage’s request to be appointed Steward and Bailiff of the Manor of Northstead.

    It is a farce and a desperate distraction, and the people of Clacton deserve better.

    But if he wants to spend the summer arguing with a bin, I won’t stop him.

  • Jon Sopel – 2026 Comments on Nigel Farage and By-Election

    Jon Sopel – 2026 Comments on Nigel Farage and By-Election

    The comments made by Jon Sopel on 8 July 2026.

    People versus the establishment?

    Are you kidding?

    Nigel Farage is the son of a stockbroker who went to Dulwich College and then follows his dad into the city, gets gifted millions, promotes crypto and gold bullion, been in politics for decades – he IS the establishment.

  • Wes Streeting – 2026 Comments on Nigel Farage and By-Election

    Wes Streeting – 2026 Comments on Nigel Farage and By-Election

    The comments made by Wes Streeting, the Labour MP for Ilford North, on 7 July 2026.

    I’ve always believed that people deserve a Labour choice at an election, but I’m glad we’re not taking part in Farage’s Clacton clown show.

    He’s subject to the same rules as every other MP – he just whinges when he’s held to those same standards.