In a surprising turn of events, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has suggested that he may issue a resignation honours list when he steps down from his role, a move that contradicts his prior commitment to forgo such honours. With just over ten days until Andy Burnham assumes leadership, Starmer has refrained from definitively ruling out the possibility of honouring allies upon his departure.
A Shift in Stance
Starmer’s comments come as he faces scrutiny for potentially following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Rishi Sunak, who drew criticism for allowing Boris Johnson to bestow honours, including knighthoods, upon his political associates. In 2023, while serving as the leader of the opposition, Starmer condemned this practice, asserting that it was difficult to justify given the circumstances surrounding Johnson’s exit from office. Back then, he stated unequivocally, “No. There are other opportunities… Tony Blair didn’t have a resignation list. It’s very hard to justify…”
However, during a recent press conference at the NATO summit in Ankara, when questioned about his commitment to abstaining from a resignation honours list, Starmer responded, “We’ll look at that in the usual course of things.” This ambiguity has led to speculation regarding his intentions as he prepares to vacate Downing Street.
Labour Leadership Transition
As Labour gears up for a leadership transition, Burnham has emerged as the frontrunner in the uncontested contest to succeed Starmer. Having secured 322 nominations, representing 80% of the parliamentary party, Burnham is all but assured of taking the helm. With only 81 Labour MPs remaining who could potentially support another candidate, convention dictates that outgoing leaders refrain from nominating, effectively closing the door on any alternative contenders.
Prominent figures within the party, including Rachel Reeves, David Lammy, and Angela Rayner, have rallied behind Burnham, further solidifying his position. While Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, and Steve Reed, the Housing Secretary, are yet to endorse him, they still have time to lend their support.
A New Era for Labour
The nomination process commenced on Thursday morning, with numerous MPs visiting the Labour Party offices in Westminster to submit their endorsements. Shortly before 11am, Burnham shared a video on social media announcing his self-nomination, expressing hope for success after previous unsuccessful bids for the leadership in 2010 and 2015. Starmer, reflecting on Burnham’s capabilities, expressed confidence in his successor, stating, “Yes, I do. I have known him a long time, I’ve worked with him when I first came to parliament, in his team directly.”
In addition to parliamentary nominations, a new leader requires backing from at least 5% of local branches or three affiliated groups, including a minimum of two unions. Burnham has already gained endorsements from Unite and the Fire Brigades Union.
Why it Matters
Starmer’s potential shift towards issuing resignation honours raises significant questions about integrity and the future of the honours system in British politics. As Labour seeks to redefine its image and win back progressive voters, the decisions made during this leadership transition will have lasting implications for the party’s credibility and its relationship with the public. The manner in which Starmer navigates this situation will be closely scrutinised, as it could either reinforce or undermine the trust placed in Labour by its constituents.
