‘I ripped antisemitism out of my party’: Starmer’s emotional PMQs farewell
Departing Starmer received a standing ovation from the majority of the House of Commons at the end of the session
Sir Keir Starmer has used his final Prime Minister’s Questions to reflect on his momentous effort to rip antisemitism out of the Labour Party.
In an at times emotional Commons exchange with Kemi Badenoch, the departing PM reflected on his time as opposition Labour leader, saying: “Mr Speaker, for four years as leader of the opposition… I know firsthand it’s the most difficult job in politics.
“When I did so, we had just lost the 2019 election, which broke my heart.
“It was the worst result since 1935, and we were found to be institutionally antisemitic. Mr Speaker, I picked up our party. I turned it round. I made a promise to rip antisemitism out of my party, and I did.
“I turned my party to face the country, and we won a landslide Labour general election.”
The PM also responded to a question from Labour MP Matt Turmaine, who brought to his attention a “peace walk” in his constituency organised after an antisemitic attack on a shop and an attack on a mosque.
Starmer said: “An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. Antisemitism and anti-Muslim hatred are a poison. We ripped antisemitism out of the Labour Party, and I’ve worked as prime minister to root it out of our country.
“And that’s why, just this week, Mr Speaker, we invested a record £250 million to protect our Jewish communities, and we are using the new powers we introduced to designate the IRGC, going after those who incite violence on our streets.”
Starmer received a standing ovation from the majority of the House of Commons at the end of the session, as he said it was the “end of (his) political journey”.
He also thanked Conservative leader Badenoch for her “kindness” after the death of his brother and the arson attack on his family home.
Starmer told the Commons he was “proud to leave this country in a better shape than I found it”, as his wife Victoria watched from the chamber alongside their two children.
He said “I love you” to his family as he left the chamber. Lady Victoria could be seen wiping tears from her eyes.
Asked whether he had any advice for Andy Burnham, Sir Keir said: “I will give my wholehearted support to my successor.
“I want this Labour Government to be a success. I want our country to be a success. I shall give my support privately if asked for, not publicly when not asked for.”
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