Keir Starmer’s resignation speech: anatomy of a picture

What can we learn from the prime minister’s address in Downing Street and the people looking on? By Ben Quinn Photograph Sean Smith Keir Starmer announced his intention to resign as Britain’s prime minister in a short speech on Monday morning. Apart from the rain which poured down on his predecessor, Rishi Sunak, the scene was reminiscent of that which unfolded just under two years ago when the Conservative prime minister resigned. Starmer’s speech was a short one, delivered minutes after the lectern had been placed a few feet in front of the door at No 10 as a phalanx of cameras faced him. To Starmer’s right can be seen a group that had started to assemble before he stepped out of No 10 with his wife, Victoria, at 9.30am. The group was initially made up of special advisers in his government who were then joined by ministers. What the picture does not capture is the sound of the Anthem of Europe, also known as Ode to Joy, which was blasted out from elsewhere in Whitehall by the anti-Brexit campaigner Steve Bray. “Walking up this street two years ago was the proudest moment of my life,” said Starmer, as he started a short speech delivered from behind the lectern, which b