Starmer saluted by European allies in Paris farewell
The outgoing British prime minister received tributes from Macron, Merz and Zelenskyy as Rachel Reeves used her likely final Mansion House speech to defend an economic record of rising growth and falling borrowing.
Keir Starmer attended Bastille Day celebrations in Paris on Monday in one of his final international engagements before handing over to Andy Burnham as prime minister next week.
The farewell carried unusual warmth. Emmanuel Macron told Starmer that "we owe you a lot, Prime Minister", while Germany's Friedrich Merz said he would continue phoning him for advice. Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy described Starmer as a "friend" and a "great PM and great man", thanking him for his "constant, steadfast support".
Macron introduced a minute's applause at Monday's "coalition of the willing" summit after crediting Starmer with a "historic role" in establishing the group. Starmer said support for Ukraine would continue under his successor.
The diplomatic send-off came as the domestic transition took shape. Rachel Reeves, expected to be sacked or demoted when Burnham takes office, used her Mansion House speech to defend her economic record.
She pointed to Britain recording the fastest economic growth in the G7 at the start of this year, with borrowing falling from 5.2% to 4.3% — its lowest level in six years. Investment, productivity and wages are all rising, she said, while NHS waiting lists are falling at the fastest rate in 17 years.
Reeves urged her successor to maintain her approach, arguing that "change is only possible if we maintain the credibility that we have earned, and the stability that we have built".
Reform pressures and electoral change
The incoming prime minister faces immediate pressure from outside Labour ranks. Lib Dem leader Ed Davey used a speech on Tuesday to urge Burnham to introduce proportional representation immediately, rather than waiting for a future manifesto.
Burnham has acknowledged Labour lacks a mandate for electoral reform since it was not in the party's election manifesto, and has said he would develop a PR plan for the next campaign. Davey rejected that caution, telling Burnham to "be bold, be brave" and act now before it is "too late".
Separately, Reform UK's Robert Jenrick accused the government of "playing politics" with the safety of politicians such as Nigel Farage, claiming the home secretary had refused to meet Farage about security until after the murder of Ann Widdecombe. Jenrick confirmed, however, that Farage had turned down a taxpayer-funded security package last year — including a bodyguard, car and trained driver — because he considered it inadequate. The offer would have given Farage protection similar to that afforded to the Conservative leader.
