Keir Starmer, the outgoing Prime Minister, has hinted at the possibility of issuing resignation honours, a departure from his previous stance against such practices. With only ten days left in his tenure before Andy Burnham takes the helm, the political landscape is shifting yet again, raising questions about integrity and accountability within the Labour Party.
Starmer’s Changing Position
Three years ago, during his tenure as opposition leader, Starmer was vocal in his criticism of Rishi Sunak’s endorsement of Boris Johnson’s honours list, which included a slew of knighthoods for Johnson’s political allies. Starmer described the situation as “difficult to justify,” especially given the context of Johnson’s controversial exit from office. At the time, he categorically stated, “No. There are other opportunities … Tony Blair didn’t have a resignation list. It’s very hard to justify … I think it’s easier to be clear about this and simply say, no, I wouldn’t do it.”
However, at a recent NATO summit in Ankara, when pressed by reporters about his commitment to forgo a resignation honours list, Starmer appeared noncommittal, responding, “We’ll look at that in the usual course of things.” This ambiguity raises eyebrows, especially among those who expect political leaders to uphold their pledges.
The Tradition of Resignation Honours
Historically, outgoing Prime Ministers have had the prerogative to submit a list of honours for approval by their successors and the House of Lords appointments commission. This tradition has often faced scrutiny, particularly in light of recent administrations. Liz Truss, for instance, was granted a resignation honours list by Sunak despite a mere 49-day term marred by financial chaos.
Starmer’s predecessor, Johnson, had his own honours list approved by Sunak, which included over 40 names, even as an inquiry was underway investigating whether he misled the Commons. Such actions have contributed to a growing perception that the honours system is susceptible to political manipulation.
The Labour Leadership Contest
As the Labour Party prepares for a transition of power, Burnham has emerged as the uncontested frontrunner to succeed Starmer, garnering 322 nominations—an impressive 80% of the parliamentary party. This overwhelming support virtually secures his position as the next Prime Minister, with only 81 Labour MPs remaining who could nominate another candidate. However, convention dictates that an outgoing leader does not participate in the nominations, leaving Burnham’s ascent largely unchallenged.
Prominent MPs such as Rachel Reeves, David Lammy, and Yvette Cooper have all publicly endorsed Burnham, further consolidating his position. The nominations process commenced recently, with numerous MPs flocking to the parliamentary Labour Party offices in Westminster to put their names down. Burnham himself took to social media to announce his nomination, quipping, “hopefully third time lucky,” in reference to his earlier bids for the leadership in 2010 and 2015.
Notably, current cabinet ministers Shabana Mahmood and Steve Reed have yet to back Burnham but still have time to do so. For Burnham to officially secure the leadership, he also requires endorsements from at least 5% of local branches or three party-affiliated groups, including a minimum of two unions. He has already received the backing of both Unite and the Fire Brigades Union.
Why it Matters
Starmer’s potential reversal on resignation honours reflects a broader concern about political ethics and the integrity of leadership within the Labour Party. As Burnham prepares to step into the role of Prime Minister, the expectations for transparency and accountability will be high. The decisions made in these final days could set a precedent for future leaders and have lasting implications for public trust in the political system. In an era where accountability is paramount, the actions of our leaders will be scrutinised more closely than ever.
