Keir Starmer used his final full day as Labour leader to nationalise British Steel and to visit Ukraine, in moves the Guardian described as an effort to cement his legacy before his replacement by Andy Burnham as party leader the following day.

Announcing the steel decision, Starmer said: “British Steel is part of the fabric of our nation and a cornerstone of Britain’s industrial strength. Today’s decision secures the future of steelmaking in the UK, protects skilled jobs and safeguards a vital national capability.”

The Guardian noted that, contrary to the conventional wisdom that a prime minister’s power evaporates once they announce they are standing down, Starmer had been acting with unusual decisiveness in his final week in office.

Among the recent actions cited by the outlet were finalising the defence investment plan, delivering a long-awaited apology to victims of forced adoption, over-ruling the security services to deliver a concession that got the Hillsborough law bill over the line, and securing a conditional pardon for Ruth Ellis.

The Guardian suggested this burst of activity was not because being on the way out makes a prime minister more powerful, but because it helps them focus and forces them to stop “faffing around.”

Andy Burnham is due to take over as Labour leader the day after Starmer’s steel announcement and Ukraine visit, according to the Guardian’s live coverage.