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Editorial
Even as Starmer goes, Britain’s pragmatic China stance likely to stay
Andy Burnham, tipped to succeed Starmer, is not an outspoken critic of Beijing and engagement is set to continue despite broader geopolitical tensions
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Editorials represent the views of the South China Morning Post on the issues of the day.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to Beijing in January promised a new chapter in relations for the two countries. The British leader said ties were in a strong place, signalling a reset in the relationship. Five months later, Starmer is on the way out of office. He announced his resignation on Monday, just two years after winning a landslide general election victory.
The leader’s successor will be the seventh prime minister in a decade, highlighting a period of turbulence in British politics.
Starmer, who will stay until his successor is chosen, delivered a dignified speech in Downing Street, recognising that he has lost the support of his party.
Pressure had been building after a series of U-turns and scandals, low popularity ratings and damaging electoral defeats.
A tipping point was reached when the man set to replace him, Andy Burnham, won a convincing by-election victory last week, paving the way for a leadership challenge.
Burnham, a career politician and former minister, spent the last nine years as mayor of Greater Manchester. If unchallenged, he could be prime minister next month.
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