No reward for failure, Keir? PM under pressure to keep promise not to hand out resignation honours

By JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 11:33, 23 June 2026 | Updated: 11:34, 23 June 2026 Keir Starmer is under pressure to stand by his promise not to hand out honours to mark his resignation. Prime Ministers typically compile a list of gongs when they quit, often rewarding close aides and political allies. In the past even relatively junior staffers have received OBEs, while others have been granted a peerage in recognition of their dedication.  However, Sir Keir has been scathing about the convention in the past, and flatly ruled out issuing one. In 2023, when Boris Johnson's list emerged,  he was asked on BBC Radio 4's Today programme whether he would hand out resignation honours. 'No. There are other opportunities,' he replied. 'Tony Blair didn't have a resignation list. It's very hard to justify…  Keir Starmer is under pressure to stand by his promise not to hand out honours to mark his resignation Minister Chris Bryant endorsed Sir Keir's view on resignation honours in 2023, describing them as 'patent nonsense'  'There are other avenues for that and I think it's easier to be clean about this and simply say, no, I wouldn't do it.' Trade minister Chris Bryant endorsed Sir Keir's view at the time saying such lists were 'patent nonsense'.   No10 has yet to clarify whether Sir Keir will issue a list, which often emerge many months after a premier's departure. But Tories pointed to his habit of executing U-turns on policies. Flagging a story about Sir Keir condemning resignation lists, Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty said: 'Worth remembering Keir Starmer's position on resignation honours… His final U-turn?'  Sir Keir choked up yesterday as he announced he is quitting, with Andy Burnham closing in on taking control of Downing Street. The PM talked up his achievements in getting Labour elected – as well as making a series of dubious claims about successes in Government – in a statement outside the famous black door of No10.  But he acknowledged that his time as PM had run out. 'I know the question being asked now is not who is best placed to change the Labour Party... the question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election.' He added: 'I accept that answer with good grace... that is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party.'  Sir Keir said there would be an 'orderly' process to choose his replacement, and that a successor would be in place before the Commons summer recess on July 16, if there is only one candidate – Mr Burnham. Otherwise, the decision could take until August. The comments below have not been moderated. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.