As I journeyed on a nighttime train bound for Kyiv, Argentina dashed England’s hopes of World Cup victory. Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, avidly watched the semi-finals on a screen in his train carriage, courtesy of Ukrainian technology, thanks to President Volodymyr Zelensky loaning his official train as a gesture of their friendship.
During their final meeting outside the Presidential Palace in Kyiv, Zelensky expressed “once more” to Starmer, commemorating his visit to Ukraine as a significant accomplishment during his tenure. The affection shown towards Starmer in Ukraine was evident as we departed Kyiv, with the Ukrainians renaming our train to “Bravery Express” in his honor. Starmer reassured the Ukrainians of the continued support from the UK under his successor, Andy Burnham.
Starmer is set to be succeeded by Burnham as both the Labour leader on Friday and the Prime Minister on Monday, after a challenging two-year term. Despite his unexpected departure from office, Starmer displayed grace in accepting his fate during our final newspaper interview.
Starmer’s exit from power followed a series of setbacks and policy reversals, highlighted by disappointing local election results. These unresolved issues now fall into Burnham’s hands to address. Starmer’s passion for football was evident during the interview, as he celebrated Ukrainian veterans scoring a goal enthusiastically, despite the time constraints.
In his last days in office, Starmer focused on solidifying his legacy on the global stage through visits to Ukraine and France to meet with key allies. Domestically, he pushed through the Hillsborough Law to prevent state cover-ups, underscoring his commitment to justice.
During a recent Downing Street reception, Starmer chose to invite individuals who had fought against various injustices instead of traditional politicians, demonstrating his unconventional approach to governance. As he concludes his term, Starmer seeks a favorable place in history as he reflects on his legacy.