Starmer warns Burnham he cannot spend less time on foreign affairs as he prepares to exit Downing Street

The warning

In his first interview since announcing his resignation on 22 June, Keir Starmer pushed back against suggestions that the next prime minister could focus more on domestic issues. He told the BBC that whoever succeeds him will face the same global conflicts and that the idea of separating international and domestic affairs "just doesn't make sense".

There's often this discussion - what's the right balance between dealing with international affairs and dealing with domestic affairs? They're one and the same thing.

Starmer cited the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Strait of Hormuz as examples of how foreign events directly affect household bills in Britain. Asked whether a prime minister could spend less time on diplomacy than he had, he replied flatly: "No, I don't think it is possible."

Burnham's domestic pitch

Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester and MP for Makerfield, is the only declared candidate to succeed Starmer. His campaign has so far centred on the cost of living, promising to cut energy and water bills, and on devolving more power to the regions. His first major policy speech, delivered on Monday, focused on the economy.

Starmer acknowledged the domestic emphasis but insisted the two realms cannot be separated.

If you're prime minister and you care what bills are going to be like in any household around the country, you have to care about finding a lasting solution to the situation in Ukraine, you have to care about what happens in the strait of Hormuz.

Starmer's legacy and departure

The outgoing prime minister reflected on his two years in office, pointing to stabilising the economy, reducing child poverty, improving the NHS, and restoring Britain's global standing. He said he had "saved" the Labour Party and that his successor would inherit a platform from which Labour could win the next election.

Starmer described the decision to resign as "intensely personal", made during a weekend with his wife and children at Chequers. He said he accepted the end of his political career "with good grace" and promised to support the next government without public interference.

I'm going to do everything I possibly can to make sure it does succeed. And I'm going to support the Government. Any advice I give will be only given if asked for. It'll be given behind the scenes and I won't be on camera or on the radio giving my version of what the Prime Minister should be doing.

What comes next

Burnham has signalled continuity on at least one foreign policy front, telling a Reddit Q&A that he would give "100%" the same level of support to Ukraine as Starmer. The leadership contest is expected to conclude by mid-July, with Burnham all but certain to enter No 10.

Starmer insisted he held no personal animosity towards his likely successor, saying the pair had "always got on" and that he wished him success. He added that Labour "should go on to win the next election" under Burnham because of the work done during his own premiership.