Sir Keir Starmer said it has been a “huge privilege” to represent the UK on the international stage as he marked his final foreign summit as prime minister.
He said the UK’s reputation abroad is in a “materially better place now” than when he started as prime minister two years ago.
Sir Keir will hand over the reins to his successor, expected to be former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, within weeks after he resigned under pressure from the Labour Party.
He rejected a suggestion that it was bittersweet that his final foreign trip in post was to the Nato summit in Turkey after his first trip following Labour’s general election win in July 2024 was to the same gathering in Washington.
“No. I think it’s really important for me to emphasise what a privilege it is to be the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the country that I love, and to be able to represent our country both at home and on the international stage is a huge privilege,” he said.
Though the amount of time he spent going on international trips while in office drew some criticism, he has also been praised for his foreign policy efforts.
These have included seeking closer ties to the European Union, with negotiations building to a second summit with the bloc, which was postponed after his resignation, still underway.
He initially managed to build a positive relationship with President Donald Trump, which has since deteriorated significantly over the lack of support for the US war in Iran.
Together with France, he set up the coalition of the willing on support for Ukraine and planning for a mission to safeguard the Strait of Hormuz after the Iran war ends.
Sir Keir said he was leaving the UK in a better state than when he started in the job, pointing to work his administration has done on child poverty, defence and security.
“And then on the international stage, where our reputation is in a materially better place now than it was two years ago.
“The answer to the question, do I leave the country in a better state than I found it? The answer to that question is yes.
“My job now is to make sure that my successor can build on that, and that’s what I’m doing.”
Asked if he wished his party had given him more time to improve Labour’s standing in the polls, particularly in light of potential issues Reform UK leader Nigel Farage faces over his financial backing, he touted his record leading his party to a landslide general election victory in 2024.
“The question the parliamentary party now is asking is, who’s the best person to lead us into the next election? They’ve answered that question.
“I accept that answer in good grace. And what I’m now doing is making sure that there’s an orderly transition, and that whatever comes next goes from strength to strength and succeeds.
“And I want that to happen, because I want a Labour government to succeed. I want my country to succeed.”
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