Keir Starmer says Andy Burnham should lead ‘battle for soul of nation’ as he admits failings
The Prime Minister admitted that ‘one of the failings’ of his administration had been the struggle to set out a ‘simple and accessible vision for Britain’s future’
Keir Starmer wrote a post on Substack called ‘passing on the torch’ defending his record and offering his advice to his successor(Image: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Future Publishing via Getty Images)
Keir Starmer said Andy Burnham must lead a “battle for the soul of the nation” as he admitted failings during his time in No10.
The Prime Minister – who is widely expected to be replaced by the Makerfield MP – admitted that “one of the failings” of his administration had been the struggle to set out a “simple and accessible vision for Britain’s future”.
As Labour marked its two-year anniversary in power, Mr Starmer wrote a post on Substack called “passing on the torch” defending his record and offering advice to his successor.
In his piece Mr Starmer did not name Mr Burnham, who will enter No10 on July 20 unless another Labour leadership candidate emerges. But he said he will support his successor in their “endeavours”.
He wrote: “At the end of the day, the Labour Party is the vehicle for social justice in this country. It can be a frustrating vehicle – we certainly all feel that at times. But remove it and the forces of reaction, conservatism and grievance are free to turn Britain against itself unhindered.
“There is always some truth to that sweeping statement, but right now it feels a more urgent fight – a battle for the soul of the nation, as I have said elsewhere. It is a fight my successor must now lead and I wish them the very best in their endeavours. It is vital they succeed and they will do so with a strong foundation to build upon.”
He urged whoever leads the country next to prioritise education and opportunities for children and youths, highlighting his Government’s record on ending the two-child benefit rule, extending free school meals and measures to improve youth employment.
“Any investment in a child, particularly in their early years, has the possibility of paying off for an entire lifetime. But in a society that must confront the politics of online division, I also believe this is a cause that will unite the country. It is more than a shared value, it’s a British ideal,” he said.
“We all want a country where everyone, no matter their background, feels they are respected for who they are. And we all want a country where children can go as far as their talent and effort will take them.”
The PM added: “While I have absolutely no intention of offering up advice for my successor, on this one issue I will break that vow: this is a cause they should take up as their own.”
Labour’s popularity plummeted after the 2024 landslide, with the mauling in May’s contests in English councils and the Welsh and Scottish parliaments showing the scale of the decline under Mr Starmer.
He said the plan was for the Government’s “defining Labour purpose” to “start to shine through more clearly as the parliament progressed”. “Some people might find that a strange thing to say,” he said.
“And I freely admit that one of the failings of my Government has been our struggle to boil the good work we have done into a simple and accessible vision for Britain’s future.”
The PM also acknowledged “the economy isn’t booming” but he blamed unfavourable “global circumstances” for that and said the UK was doing better than other members of the G7 group of leading democracies.
He said: “I have always felt that the most basic responsibility of being Prime Minister is to leave the country in a better place than when you found it. And as I reflect today, not just on two years in this role, but also what I will shortly pass on to my successor, I am proud that my Government achieved that.”
