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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Politics
Niva Yadav

Keir Starmer goes down the pub after quitting Number 10 as ex-PM celebrates with Rachel Reeves and other loyalists

Sir Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves were spotted drinking at a pub just hours after their Downing Street departure.

Photos obtained by The Sun show the recently resigned Prime Minister and axed Chancellor outside what is understood to be The Pineapple pub in Kentish Town, north London.

Whether they were drowning their sorrows or celebrating their freedom, the pair looked to be in good spirits. Sir Keir took a phone call with a bitters in hand, while Reeves drank a glass of white wine on the pavement.

The photos were taken just hours after Sir Keir handed over the keys to No10 to ex-Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.

Sir Keir delivered his farewell speech outside Downing Street on Monday morning before travelling to Buckingham Palace to formally hand in his resignation.

In his final speech, the former Prime Minister said that he would “close the book” on his tenure, adding that his “work is done.”

“I go with a smile and I go proud of everything that we have achieved,” he said.

He wished Andy Burnham “every success” as he handed over the premiership.

Mr Burnham, who is now Britain’s seventh Prime Minister in a decade, has already made sweeping changes to the Cabinet, with Ms Reeves among the first to be sacked.

She has now been replaced by John Healey, the former defence secretary.

However, Ms Reeves seemed unfazed at the north London boozer, pictured smiling and laughing with her aides.

In a post on X, Ms Reeves wished the “best of luck” to her successor and Mr Burnham.

She said: “It has been the privilege of my life to serve as the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

“The economy today is stronger, fairer and more resilient because of the choices we have taken as a Labour Government over the past two years.”

Ms Reeves was the first ever female Chancellor in British history, but was expected to lose her job alongside other Starmer loyalists.

The former Chancellor was reportedly offered the role of Defence Secretary, according to the BBC, but declined.

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