Nigel Farage Blasts Keir Starmer’s Resignation and Targets Andy Burnham on Brexit Anniversary

On the 10th anniversary of the Brexit vote, Nigel Farage delivered a scathing assessment of Keir Starmer’s recent resignation while taking aim at the anticipated new Labour leader, Andy Burnham. Appearing on GB News, the Reform UK leader characterized Starmer’s exit as lacking humility and heavily criticized the political establishment’s handling of the post-Brexit landscape.

Farage did not hold back when asked for his assessment of Starmer’s departure. “He left yesterday with no dignity at all,” Farage declared, explicitly contrasting Starmer’s exit with that of former Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak . According to Farage, Sunak “showed a certain humility” by apologizing upon his resignation. In contrast, Farage argued that Starmer should have admitted things hadn’t gone to plan and handed over the baton gracefully, stating he would have had “more respect” for the outgoing Labour leader had he shown such contrition.

The GB News interview quickly shifted focus to the future of the Labour Party and the likely ascension of Andy Burnham to Number 10. Farage acknowledged Burnham’s popularity as the Mayor of Manchester but argued that the transition to national leadership requires taking definitive stances—something he claims Burnham has failed to do.

“Mayors fulfill a civic role… politicians have to take positions. We at the moment have almost no idea where this man stands on anything,” Farage asserted . He went further, accusing Burnham of political inconsistency, claiming he has “flipped and flopped in the last month more than Keir Starmer has in the last two years” .

Farage expressed strong opposition to a “coronation” of Burnham, stating he hopes a challenger emerges to force a leadership contest so the public can “actually see what he stands for”. Furthermore, Farage argued that if Burnham assumes the premiership in July, he will do so with “no mandate whatsoever,” arguing that the British public is “sick to death of a game of musical chairs” in Downing Street and deserves a general election .

With Reform UK consistently polling high, Farage confirmed his own political ambitions. When asked directly if he wants to be Prime Minister, Farage responded, “Yes,” though he clarified that his primary motivation is achieving policy outcomes rather than acquiring the “rank, the title, the status” .

Reflecting on the 10-year milestone of the Brexit referendum, Farage reiterated his frustration with the major political parties, accusing them of failing to implement the public’s mandate out of “sheer contempt for the people”. He specifically targeted Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch for her failure to repeal thousands of EU laws during her ministerial tenure, citing it as a primary reason he cannot trust the Conservative Party .

Despite concerns over a “Remainer-supporting” Prime Minister in Burnham, Farage confidently guaranteed that Brexit will not be constitutionally overturned. “It’s politically impossible to overturn it,” Farage stated, arguing that any Labour leader promising to rejoin the EU would face electoral annihilation in Northern England .