Starmer signals possible resignation honours list after earlier pledge
10 reported
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has indicated he may issue a resignation honours list when he leaves Downing Street in just over 10 days, despite pledging in 2023 not to do so. Asked by reporters at the Nato summit in Ankara if he remained committed to not producing a list, Starmer said: “We’ll look at that in the usual course of things.” As opposition leader in 2023, Starmer criticized Rishi Sunak for allowing Boris Johnson to hand out awards including knighthoods to political allies. At that time, Starmer said: “No. There are other opportunities … Tony Blair didn’t have a resignation list. It’s very hard to justify … and I think it’s easier to be clear about this and simply say, no, I wouldn’t do it.” Prime ministers are traditionally allowed to nominate people for honours after leaving Downing Street, but their list must be approved by their successor and the House of Lords appointments commission. Starmer is set to be succeeded by Andy Burnham, who has secured 322 nominations in the Labour leadership contest, amounting to 80% of the parliamentary party.
What’s reported
Starmer twice declined to rule out drawing up a resignation honours list when asked at the Nato summit in Ankara.
In 2023, Starmer said he would not produce a resignation honours list, criticizing Boris Johnson’s list as difficult to justify.
Prime ministers traditionally nominate people for honours after leaving office, subject to approval by their successor and the House of Lords appointments commission.
Liz Truss was granted a resignation honours list by Sunak after resigning after 49 days.
Sunak approved Johnson’s resignation honours list containing more than 40 names.
Andy Burnham has 322 nominations in the Labour leadership contest, almost guaranteeing he will succeed Starmer.
High-profile MPs nominating Burnham include Rachel Reeves, David Lammy, Yvette Cooper, Ed Miliband, Angela Rayner, Lucy Powell, Al Carns, Wes Streeting, and Louise Haigh.
Home secretary Shabana Mahmood and housing secretary Steve Reed have not yet nominated Burnham.
Burnham posted a social media video saying he nominated himself, adding “hopefully third time lucky,” referencing his failed 2010 and 2015 leadership bids.
Starmer said he believes Burnham will do well in No 10.
Key figures
Keir Starmer, prime minister
Andy Burnham, Labour leadership candidate
Rishi Sunak, former prime minister
Boris Johnson, former prime minister
Liz Truss, former prime minister
Rachel Reeves, MP
David Lammy, MP
Yvette Cooper, MP
Ed Miliband, MP
Angela Rayner, MP
Lucy Powell, MP
Al Carns, MP
Wes Streeting, MP
Louise Haigh, MP
Shabana Mahmood, home secretary
Steve Reed, housing secretary
Sources: The Guardian
