Keir Starmer insisted he has not been a failure as PM today as he heads to see the King and officially quit.The outgoing premier has given a farewell address outside the famous black door of No10, just two years after winning an extraordinary election landslide.Sir Keir declared he was 'closing the book on my time', saying 'my work is done' and the country is 'stronger'. He insisted Andy Burnham - who orchestrated a coup to secure the leadership - would have his 'full support'.'I go with good grace, I go with a smile and I go proud of everything we have achieved,' he said, thanking wife Victoria and his family. Close Cabinet allies including David Lammy and Rachel Reeves had gathered with hundreds of aides in a sunny Downing Street to watch Sir Keir say goodbye. London Mayor Sadiq Khan was also present for the emotional moment. Buckingham Palace confirmed shortly afterwards that Sir Keir had officially resigned, leaving a vacancy that will be immediately filled by Mr Burnham. He will become the seventh PM in just a decade after an audience with the King. But the former Greater Manchester Mayor is already facing a crucial moment as he names his Cabinet this afternoon.The Labour Left is still clamouring for Ed Miliband to be made Chancellor, despite alarm from businesses and moderates. Markets have been calmer following speculation that Shabana Mahmood will get the role instead, but any surprises could prompt a panicky response.Meanwhile, the fates of big beasts such as Angela Rayner, Wes Streeting and Yvette Cooper are due to be decided.Resignations have begun, with prisons minister Lord Timpson announcing he is going alongside Sir Keir. On another momentous day in UK politics:Mr Burnham has revealed his Alzheimer's-hit father does not know he is going to be PM, as he vows to overhaul social care;The new PM has hinted at an earlier end to the freeze on the basic rate tax threshold, without saying how it would be funded; Mr Burnham will become the first openly Catholic PM in around 500 years, with work-arounds put in place to protect the Church of England; Loudspeakers have been banned near Downing Street today after protesters blighted Sir Keir's speech announcing his resignation. Keir Starmer's resignation was accepted by the King at an audience in Buckingham Palace todayKeir Starmer is giving a farewell address outside the famous black door of No10, just two years after winning an extraordinary election landslide Close Cabinet allies including David Lammy and Rachel Reeves had gathered with hundreds of aides in a sunny Downing Street to watch Sir Keir say goodbyeThere was a hug for Chancellor Rachel Reeves - also expected to lose her job - after the speech Sir Keir and Lady Victoria got into a car to be driven to Buckingham Palace after his speech Sir Keir gave his wife a kiss as they left Downing Street for the final time today Keir Starmer will officially exit Downing Street today - as Britain braces to find out what an Andy Burnham premiership means
Keir Starmer gives farewell speech before heading to see the King
Keir Starmer has given a farewell address outside the famous black door of No10, just two years after winning an extraordinary election landslide.











