National

UK PM's political demise 'hard to watch' for Aussie MPs

Jun 23, 2026

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's political demise is "hard to watch", Australian politicians from the government and opposition say.

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But the federal government is promising to plough on with the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal regardless of who next leads the UK.

Less than two years after ousting the Conservatives in a landslide election victory, Sir Keir announced plans to resign by September, making way for newly sworn in MP Andy Burnham to likely be Britain's next leader.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said the Labour leader had been a great friend of Australia and said the circumstances of his departure were unique to the UK.

"At a human level, it's hard to watch what occurred yesterday evening and it's another reminder of how difficult these jobs are," he said.

"We are very appreciative of his partnership across the relationship, but specifically in issues such as AUKUS and there's been enormous progress in the relationship under his prime ministership."

The AUKUS pact - a nuclear submarine deal between Australia, the US and UK - would continue "at pace" despite the prime minister's departure, Mr Marles added.

Anthony Albanese should follow suit and also resign, One Nation leader Pauline Hanson told reporters in Canberra on Tuesday.

"I'd love it and so would the Australian people," she said.

Labor needed to learn lessons from the UK on national identity and "mass migration", Senator Hanson added.

Sir Keir failed to address issues of immigration, energy and social cohesion, opposition industry spokesman Andrew Hastie told Sky News.

"It was tough to watch a UK prime minister torn down by his own party, so soon after a massive landslide victory back in 2024," he said.

Mr Albanese said he considered the outgoing UK leader a friend and that he was thinking of him on "what must be a very tough day".

"Serving in public life is a tremendous privilege but politics can also be a harsh business," the prime minister said in a statement, praising Sir Keir's work on AUKUS, supporting Ukraine and banning children from social media.

"When the time comes for Keir to leave Downing Street, he can be proud of the contribution he has made to the country he loves and to the Labour Party that he led back to government in 2024," Mr Albanese said.