Sir Keir Starmer: “Staff and neighbours must be respected but the principle to let pubs stay open so the country can gather is right”

I want to thank once again my family, Vic and our children, my team, all the staff here and across the Labour Party, everyone at Number 10 and across the civil service, and everyone who has supported our efforts along the way.

Since then, it has been the privilege of my life to serve you and this great country as prime minister, and I am confident that Britain is now stronger and fairer than it was two years ago.

So, as I now pass the baton to Andy Burnham, I wish him every success. He has my full support.

I’m about to visit His Majesty the King to offer my resignation and close the book on my time as prime minister.