Today I pay tribute to Sir Keir Starmer, a man of genuine integrity and principle, for putting his country before himself.

His record in government deserves to be acknowledged clearly. The Employment Rights Act has already begun to transform the lives of working people in Wrexham and across Britain. The removal of the two-child limit has lifted a cruel and arbitrary burden from families simply trying to get by. The nationalisation of our railways has restored the principle that vital public infrastructure should serve passengers, not shareholders. And through Pride in Place funding and the Investment Zone here in Wrexham, his government has shown that left-behind communities matter.

His courage in keeping Britain out of the Iran conflict, at a moment of enormous international pressure, was the mark of a serious and steady statesman. He led Labour back to government after fourteen years in opposition, and that should never be forgotten.

But great leadership is also about knowing when to pass the torch. In choosing to do so now, Keir has shown some of his finest judgement of all.

What matters now is that this government moves forward with purpose and energy. The new Prime Minister must focus on delivering for the people who voted for change in 2024, on living standards, on public services, on the communities across Wales and Britain that are still waiting to feel that change in their daily lives. The work of governing must continue, and it must accelerate.

I am grateful to Sir Keir Starmer. History will treat him more kindly than this moment allows.