North Northumberland Labour MP backs calls for Prime Minister to step down
North Northumberland MP David Smith says the results of Thursday's elections have been "shattering" for the Labour Party.
He's now backing calls for the Prime Minister to resign.
Sir Keir Starmer promises sweeping changes to address the “big challenges” confronting the UK as he battles to save his job following a slump which has seen votes and seats flow to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK and Zack Polanski’s Green Party.
Mr Smith says: "It is clear from the extent of the losses – in Wales, Scotland and across local government in England, not least here in the North East – that the electorate has given its verdict on the first two years of the Labour government.
"It was nothing short of remarkable to restore us to a party that the country could put its trust in once more.
"But if we are to make good on the promises that we made to the country in 2024 to tackle the cost of living, to deal with immigration fairly and effectively, to restore our national economy, to re-build our armed forces and to see the return of a more cohesive, hopeful society, then we cannot carry on with the approach we have taken in the first two years of this Labour government.
"I therefore believe that now is the time for the Prime Minister to set a clear timetable for his departure. This departure should be ordered and dignified; for the PM himself, for the government but most of all for the sake of the country."
WATCH: Newly-elected MSPs celebrate Scottish Parliament election wins...
Over the border, former SNP MP Calum Kerr takes over from retiring party colleague Christine Grahame after polling an increased majority in Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale.
Meanwhile, in Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire, the Conservatives deputy leader Rachael Hamilton retains the seat she's held since 2017.
Looking ahead to the Westminster elections, Mr Smith said: "We have three years not just to convince the British public that we have the answers to the challenges that they face, at home and abroad, but to also deliver on these issues.
"And we have three years to avoid the disaster that the populism of the Right or the Left would bring us.
"The Labour Party, under titans like Attlee and Bevan, has a history of rebuilding our country out of incredibly difficult circumstances. We’ve done it before, and we must do it again now. But to do so, we need to return to being the party of the working-class. We need to listen to what they are telling us matters to them, and then do what we can to improve their lives.
"And we need to rise to the challenges of our time. We need to act faster, and be more radical in the solutions that we prescribe."
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