Starmer shares tributes and offers ‘full support’ to his successor in his final PMQs before stepping down – UK politics live

Key events

Farage welcomes news police have arrested man for threatening to kill him

A man has been arrested for threatening to kill Nigel Farage, the Daily Telegraph is reporting.

In a statement to the paper, the Reform UK leader welcomed the news – and said it was the first time the police had proactively acted in response to a social media post about him. Farage said:

This is the first time the police have ever proactively acted on a social media post, and I hope they are looking at the other three or four hundred similar posts from this year alone.

This has been going on for years – not just words but videos of people firing guns and so on, and in the past we have put multiple reports in to the police, always to be told that these social media posts don’t meet the threshold, which is extraordinary.

According to the Telegraph, the suspect posted a message on social media a day after the May local elections telling Farage: “I am going to shoot you in the head if you win.”

The paper says he was arrested in London yesterday on suspicion of sending a threatening communication. He has been released on bail pending further inquiries.

The Telegraph says the message was identified by parliament’s security information and risk analysis service and reported to the police by the parliamentary liaison and investigations team.

Farage has repeatedly complained that the police have not done enough to deal with online threats made against him.

Last year a man was jailed for five years for threatening to kill Farage on TikTok.

PMQs - snap verdict

While it is undoubtedly the case that politics, in the UK and elsewhere, has become more polarised and aggressive and unpleasant in the past decade or so, it is not a total lost cause. It is still the case that most people who stand for parliament want to do some good, and most of them are reasonably decent. And occasionally it shows – which is why today’s proceedings were uplifting, even if they won’t change anything and will soon be forgotten.

At the start of her questions, Kemi Badenoch talked about wanting to get the tone right – proof that she does, in fact, read John Crace’s sketches, like this one. Today she pitched it perfectly – a nice joke about Clacton, a moving tribute to Starmer for the way he supported President Zelenskyy, some understated party politics, and warm remarks about Starmer’s family. Starmer got it just right too – graceful and reflective and appreciative. After Starmer finished his final answer, Labour MPs gave him a standing ovation and many opposition MPs did too (even some of the Reform UK ones). But Badenoch stayed seated, and the Tory benches did not join in.

Normal service will resume very quickly (talking of which, I’ll have more to say about Zia Yusuf’s peculiar press conference shortly). But today’s brief interval of warmth and niceness was good while it lasted. Some MPs were close to tears.

Starmer delivers farewell to MPs, saying he's proud to 'leave country in better shape than I found it'

Carolyn Harris (Lab), a close friend of Starmer’s, gets the final question.

She says few believed he could make the changes needed when he became leader.

But today, because of his service and his leadership, children are growing up in a fairer Britain. We stand tall on the world stage.

And every day we’ve seen his decency and his courage shine through.

Starmer thanks Harris for her comments and her friendship.

He goes on:

This will be my last answer from this despatch box.

Every prime minister knows when they take up the torch that the day will come when they have to pass it on. That day has come for me.

This is the end of my political journey.

In six years, we went from historic defeat in 2019 to historic victory in 2024, and in two years in government I leave the country in better shape than I found it.

I’m proud of everything that we have achieved.

Can I just take time to say to you, Mr Speaker, and all those who work for the house and in our constituency offices, thank you for all your hard work.

To our civil service, thank you also for all your hard work.

To my political team, many of them here today, who came on this journey with me, thank you so much for everything you have done, and being prepared to walk through fire for me.

To my colleagues on these benches, I am proud of all we have achieved together and proud of each and every one of you.

To my successor, and each of you, I will give my full support.

To all colleagues across the house, can I wish you good health and happiness.

To all those in the gallery, whose lives have been changed or improved by this Labour government, and all across the country who struggle to be seen or heard, you’re the reason I came into politics.

To my wife and children, I love you.

Goodbye.

Will Forster (Lib Dem) asks if there will be a bank holiday if England win the World Cup.

Starmer says he does not want to jink tonight’s match. He says Forster should ask on Sunday.

Rupa Huq (Lab) praises the accountability bill (the Hillsborough law) passed yesterday. But she asks if the PM also backs the idea of an accountablity law for “the gutter press”.

Starmer says the bill will stop other injustices like Hillborough. He does not address the press point.

Perran Moon (Lab) says even GB News is now admitted that the PM’s strategy to stop small boats is working. Does the PM support setting up a safe and legal asylum route between Sigma 9 [Count Binface’s planet} and Clacton?

Starmer says migration is down 82%, and small boat crossings are down 40%.

Alison Bennett (Lib Dem) says 1,200 pupils were sent home from school last week in her constituency because South East Water could not provide proper water.

Starmer says that was completely unacceptable.

Danny Kruger (Reform UK) thanks the PM for his service, calling him a “good man”.

But he says Reform UK is the only party putting forward a proper candidate in the Clacton byelection.

He asks who the PM wants to win.

Starmer says Reform believes in recycling politicians. But he says he does not think Kruger expected to spend his time arguing with a bin when he defected.

Alistair Carmichael (Lib Dem) asks if the government will ensure coastguards get proper pay.

Starmer says this is an important issue, and he hopes the government finds a proper solution.

Lola McEvoy (Lab) mentions a constituent who was instrument in persuading the government to stop stranger contact for under-16s on social media. Will the PM any social media moments that have had cut-throught in his household?

Starmer says he got into trouble on a school visit for doing the 6-7 thing. The head told him afterwards this was banned. He says he was '“pathetic” in his response, and just said he did not start it.

Julia Buckley (Lab) asks if the PM will agree funds for a new construction centre at a college in her Shrewsbury constituency.

Starmer says he wants more rebalancing, with more focus on further education.