From whistles to tears: How UK PMs' historic first and final Downing Street speeches compare
Daily Mail Online2024/10/5
From humming a song just moments after announcing their resignation, to weeping as they leave Downing Street for the last time - Prime Ministers have all reacted differently to losing their jobs.
And today, Rishi Sunak became the latest PM forced to make their final farewell speech from outside Number 10 after the Tories suffered a cataclysmic defeat to Labour.
A deflated Mr Sunak started his speech at the podium by saying 'I'm sorry' as he admitted he had heard the 'anger' and 'disappointment from voters and that he would take responsibility for the Conservatives' worst-ever defeat.
It was a stark difference to his first speech as PM in October 2022 when he appeared optimistic and confident about tackling Britain's challenges, as he declared he would 'unite' the country 'not with words but with action'.
Over the years, previous PMs have all reacted differently to their final moments in Downing Street.
An emotional Theresa May wept when she announced her resignation in 2019, with her voice breaking as she recalled her pride in being the 'second female prime minister' who had 'the opportunity to serve the country I love'.
While her predecessor David Cameron was heard whistling and singing a small song to himself after finally declaring he was standing now.
Now, as a new Labour Government takes up the mantle of responsibility for Britain's future, MailOnline is looking back all some of the historic first and last speeches by the nation's PMs.
Margaret Thatcher, 1979 - 1990
Thatcher, who studied chemistry at the University of Oxford, was first elected as an MP for Finchley in 1959, holding junior posts before becoming Shadow Spokesperson for Education, and entered the Cabinet as Education Secretary in 1970. Here she is celebrating getting the top job as PM
She entered Number 10 first the first time, where a large group of press and photographers from across the globe was waiting. Becoming a PM during the Cold War, Thatcher would famously order the British military to retake the Falkland Islands after Argentina invaded in 1982. The following year, the Conservatives went on to win the 1983 election by an overwhelming majority
But by 1990, the glitter of her time as PM was over. Thatcher had introduced a radical programme of privatisation and deregulation and reform of the trade unions following the Winter of Discontent. Things came to a head in November when her long-serving Foreign Secretary Sir Geoffrey Howe resigned in protest at her attitude to Europe. His resignation speech brought about events which were to lead to her exit from Number 10 later that month. Baroness Thatcher died on April 8 2013
John Major, 1990 - 1997
John Major became the next Prime Minister and leader of the Conservative Party, and attempted to make peace between both party and country in the wake of a divisive decade. He took a leading role, alongside US President George HW Bush, in the first Gulf War, and survived an IRA mortar attack on Number 10 during a Cabinet meeting
But Major - who before becoming PM had a four-year affair with his Tory colleague Edwina Currie - finally resigned in May 1997. Despite having been elected in 1992, his government was plagued by press stories about infidelity and poor moral behaviour within the Cabinet and wider party - with the label of 'Tory sleaze' sticking, effective wiping out his credibility.
Tony Blair 1997 - 2007
New Labour leader Tony Blair arrived to scenes of fanfare and jubilation when he clinched a landslide victory in the 1997 General Election - with D:Ream's anthem Things Can Only Get Better soundtracking his win.
At just 43, Blair was the youngster person to become Prime Minister since Lord Liverpool was PM at the age of 42 in 1812. And the Labour leader's opening trip into Downing Street saw him championed as a political rock star, with fans waving Union Flags as he arrived with his wife, Cherie (pictured)
On foreign affairs, Blair became increasingly convinced of Britain¿s need to become more involved, joining the American bombing of Iraq in 1998 - before later getting involved in the war in Kosovo
He entered Number 10 having waved to the crowds, with his wife and children leading the way into Downing Street
2001: Tony Blair poses with wife Cherie, Baby Leo, Nicky, Kathryn and Euan June 8 2001 after winning his second General Election. Just three months later, the 9/11 terrorist attacks in America rocked the world - and became the defining moment for for the Labour leader and his legacy. He allied with the USA and President Bush over the need to confront militant Islamism, first in Afghanistan in 2001 and then, much more controversially, in 2003 with the invasion of Iraq
2007: But just six years later, Blair gave his final speech outside Number 10 before being pictured with children Euan, Kathryn, Leo, and Nicky and his wife Cherie. Blair's last years in office saw him criticised over his handling of the Iraq war, after it was revealed claims weapons of mass destruction were in the country were false. And in 2006 the Israel-Lebanon war saw a very large Labour rebellion against him over his reluctance to criticise Israel and his continued support for Bush. He resigned as PM on June 27
Gordon Brown, 2007 - 2010
Gordon Brown first came to power following the resignation of his former boss in 2007. Prior to this he had been the Chancellor during the longest ever period of economic growth. He is pictured arriving in Downing Street with his wife Sarah
2007: During his time as Prime Minister he oversaw changes such as the introduction of neighbourhood policing in every area, a legally-enforceable right to early cancer screening and treatment, and the world¿s first ever Climate Change Act, which was implemented in autumn 2008. He is pictured with wife, Sarah
2007: Brown's time in charge saw him dealing with the global financial crash of 2008. And UK combat operations in Iraq, which had begun during his predecessor¿s time in office, came to an end under Brown. British forces withdrew from the country at the end of April 2009. Brown is pictured being driven into Downing Street in June, 2007
2010: Gordon Brown's time in Downing Street came to an end in May 2010. It came after a general election which left no one party with enough of a majority for form a government by themselves. In the end, after five days of negotiations, the Liberal Democrats proved to be the king makers, entering into a coalition with David Cameron's Conservative Party. Mr Brown is pictured leaving Number 10 with his wife Sarah and their sons James Fraser and John
David Cameron, 2010 - 2016
2010: After 13 years of Labour rule, David Cameron was the man to bring the Conservatives back into Downing Street. He appeared victorious with his wife Samantha having formed a coalition with the Liberal Democrats to form a government
2010: During his time in charge, Cameron oversaw the successful London 2012 Olympic Games. He also ensured Britain played a leading role in the fight against jihardi terrorists from ISIS. And his government led the way on the equalities agenda by passing the UK¿s same sex marriage act. Cameron is accompanied by wife Samantha and their children outside No 10
2010: Cameron's government also held three national referendums. The first in 2011, known as the alternative vote referendum, asked whether the current existing method of electing MPs should remain for future general elections. The second referendum held in 2014 asked whether Scotland should be an independent country
2016: However, it was the third referendum - Brexit - which proved to be his last act as PM. Having campaigned to stay in the EU, he lost the referendum to the Leave campaign, who netted 51 per cent of the vote. Cameron's failure to win the vote, prompted by leading Brexiteer Nigel Farage, prompted him to resign as Prime Minister. He is pictured giving his final speech
2016: Outgoing PM David Cameron leaves after speaking outside 10 Downing Street with his family (L-R) son Arthur Elwen, his daughter Nancy Gwen, daughter Florence Rose Endellion and his wife Samantha Cameron in central London on July 13, 2016
Theresa May, 2016 - 2019
2016: Theresa May becomes the new Prime Minister. In her first speech as Prime Minister she committed her government to tackling what she described as 'burning injustices'. During her time in Downing Street, the UK¿s national debt fell, employment reached a record high, and income taxes were cut for 32 million people. But she was dogged by division within parliament when it came to trying to get Brexit done
2019: Mrs May was left sobbing at the podium following an emotional farewell speech. She quit after a tumultuous two years and 315 days in office - making her the 36th longest serving Prime Minister in British history. Watched by her husband Philip in Downing Street, Mrs May managed to keep her composure until the emotional moment she finished her 1,000-word speech, breaking down in tears. She ultimately left having failed to deliver Brexit
Boris Johnson, 2019 - 2022
2019: Boris Johnson entered parliament in 2019, joined by his then girlfriend Carrie Symonds. Later that year, he went on to lead the Tories to one of the biggest victories in modern history, in December
2019: Mr Johnson walks through the door of Number 10 and throws his arms aloft as he is cheered to the rafters by Downing Street staff following his emphatic majority. Just months later, he would be forced to lead the country through a global pandemic as Covid ravaged the world. During this period of time the PM and his government would be criticised for failing to adhere to strict lockdown rules - with his party dogged by more accusations of sleaze
2022: Boris gives his final speech outside Downing Street. Watched by MPs, aides and allies as he spoke on the steps of No10, the outgoing PM put a brave face on his departure saying 'this is it, folks'
Liz Truss, September 6 2022 to October 25, 2022
September 6, 2022: The newly-installed PM Liz Truss appeared confident after winning her Tory leadership campaign. Standing outside Number 10, she took to the podium outside and vowed to tackle the energy crisis with a £90bn bailout, cut taxes and fix the NHS. She boldly proclaimed 'as strong as the storm will be, Britain is stronger'.
49 days later...: But her time as PM was shambolic. Her plans caused the economy to crash leading to widespread outrage within her own party, and enraging the British public. She quit as PM October 25, becoming Britain's shortest serving prime minister. She eventually lost her seat in Thursday's General Election
Rishi Sunak, 2022 - 2024
2022: Rishi Sunak 's first speech as Prime Minister was one of longest delivered in Downing Street by a newly appointed prime minister in recent decades. Becoming the first British PM of Asian heritage, Mr Sunak vowed to 'unite our country' and lead the UK into a 'future worthy of the sacrifices so many have made,' as well as 'fill tomorrow with hope.'
2024: But after calling for a General Election in May (in which Mr Sunak was drenched by rain while announcing the move) he suffered a crushing defeat, with Labour winning by a landslide. In his final speech in Downing Street. flanked by his wife Akshata, Mr Sunak apologised to voters, saying had 'heard the anger' of the country and the 'clear message' of the ballot
Keir Starmer, 2024 -
2024: Sir Keir Starmer stepped through the door of 10 Downing Street on Thursday afternoon for the first time as Prime Minister as he vowed to 'immediately' begin work to 'rebuild Britain' and prepared to make key Cabinet appointments.
2024: Becoming the first Labour PM since Gordon Brown stepped down, Sir Keir's party secured a landslide victory over the Tories. He is pictured outside Number 10 for the first time with his wife Victoria