Starmer’s Final Acts: Honours List and Labour Succession

Published: 10 July 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Sir Keir Starmer has indicated that he might issue a resignation honours list before he departs from Downing Street. This potential decision comes despite his explicit promise three years ago that he would forgo such honours when his own time in office concluded. The outgoing prime minister has twice refused to categorically rule out the creation of an awards list as he prepares to vacate his position in roughly ten days. His successor is almost certainly to be Andy Burnham, who has recently secured overwhelming support from his colleagues.

During his tenure as opposition leader in 2023, Starmer frequently targeted the conduct of his predecessor, Rishi Sunak. He was particularly vocal regarding Sunak’s decision to allow Boris Johnson to distribute numerous knighthoods and awards to various political allies. Starmer argued at the time that such actions were profoundly difficult to justify, especially given the turbulent circumstances surrounding Johnson’s departure from government. When reporters specifically asked if he would follow this precedent, Starmer was remarkably clear and direct in his initial response. He stated firmly that he would not produce a list because there were simply other ways to recognise people. He added that he believed it was far easier to be transparent and clear by simply saying he would not do it.

However, the political atmosphere shifted significantly during the recent Nato summit held in Ankara, where his tone seemed notably more measured. When pressed by journalists on whether he remained committed to his earlier pledge, Starmer adopted a more ambiguous stance. He told reporters that he would look at the matter in the usual course of things rather than offering a hard refusal. When the question was repeated to ensure clarity, he simply offered the exact same non-committal response, leaving the door open for a change of heart.

The process of awarding resignation honours is a long-standing tradition for outgoing prime ministers in the United Kingdom. While they have the power to nominate individuals for prestigious awards after leaving, the process is far from entirely discretionary. Each proposed list must undergo rigorous scrutiny and requires formal approval from both the successor in office and the House of Lords appointments commission. These safeguards are intended to ensure that the honours system maintains a level of integrity, though it has frequently faced intense public scrutiny.

Critics of the system often point to recent examples where these lists sparked significant controversy and public debate. Liz Truss, for instance, was granted a resignation honours list by Rishi Sunak despite serving as prime minister for only forty-nine days. Her brief and tumultuous period in office ended amid severe market instability, yet she was still entitled to name her own nominees for recognition. Similarly, Sunak himself faced widespread criticism for approving the resignation list submitted by Boris Johnson. That specific list featured more than forty names and appeared while a parliamentary inquiry was still actively investigating whether the former prime minister had intentionally misled the House of Commons.

Meanwhile, the transition of power within the Labour Party is proceeding with remarkable speed following the opening of nominations. Andy Burnham has effectively secured his path to the premiership, gathering support from an astonishing eighty percent of the parliamentary Labour party. He has collected some three hundred and twenty-two nominations, far exceeding the threshold required to ensure his victory. This tally leaves only eighty-one Labour MPs remaining who could theoretically support an alternative candidate, which is the absolute minimum required to force a formal ballot. However, established convention dictates that the outgoing leader does not nominate, meaning there is effectively no path left for any other contender to enter the race.

The list of high-profile figures who have already backed Burnham is substantial and reflects deep unity within the party. Notable supporters include senior politicians such as Rachel Reeves, David Lammy, Yvette Cooper, Ed Miliband, and Angela Rayner. Other prominent names throwing their weight behind him include Lucy Powell, Al Carns, Wes Streeting, and Louise Haigh. Only a few cabinet members, such as Shabana Mahmood and Steve Reed, have yet to officially nominate him, though they retain the opportunity to do so before the process concludes.

The nomination period officially commenced on Thursday morning, with a steady stream of MPs visiting the Labour offices in Westminster to add their signatures. Many of these representatives took to social media to broadcast their support, underscoring the sense of inevitability surrounding Burnham’s ascent. Shortly before midday, Burnham shared a short video announcing that he had officially nominated himself for the role. He accompanied this with a characteristically hopeful message, suggesting that he felt this would be his lucky third attempt at the leadership.

Reflecting on the impending transition, Starmer expressed genuine confidence in his successor’s ability to lead the country effectively from No 10. He noted that he has known Burnham for a considerable time and worked alongside him directly when he first entered parliament. Beyond the parliamentary support, a new leader must also demonstrate backing from local party branches and affiliated groups like trade unions. Burnham has already comfortably cleared these hurdles, having secured the official endorsement of both Unite and the Fire Brigades Union. As the nation watches this transition unfold, the focus remains on whether Starmer will ultimately choose to cement his own legacy with a final, potentially divisive, honours list.

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