Somerset Labour leader urges government to “step up” after Keir Starmer resigns
The leader of the Labour Party on Somerset Council has urged the government to “step up” and properly fund local services following the resignation of prime minister Sir Keir Starmer MP.
Mr Starmer announced outside 10 Downing Street on Monday morning (June 22) that he would be resigning at prime minister after around two years in the post, giving way to his successor before the party conference in September.
Andy Burnham, the newly-elected MP for Makerfield, is the current favourite to replace Mr Starmer, having previously served as mayor of Greater Manchester.
Now Councillor Leigh Redman, who leads the Labour opposition group on Somerset Council – has called for the government to “reset our national priorities” and ensure public services and local government is properly funded.
Mr Redman stood at the last general election (which saw Labour swept to power after 14 years in the wilderness), finishing second in the Bridgwater constituency behind Conservative victor Sir Ashley Fox.
Reacting to Mr Starmer’s resignation, Mr Redman said: “Before looking ahead, it’s right to acknowledge our outgoing prime minister and thank him for the work he has done.
“Public service at that level is demanding, and whatever our political differences, the commitment and effort required deserve recognition.
“But moments of transition are also moments of choice and this is a chance to reset our national priorities.”
Mr Redman – one of two Labour councillors for the Bridgwater North and Central division, and the incumbent mayor of Bridgwater – said that Labour needed to take urgent action on failing public services, highlighting growing pressures on special needs education.
He said: “Real leadership now means moving past the Westminster bubble and funding the essential building blocks of everyday life.
“In Somerset, that means moving away from short term financial emergency measures and onto a path of sustainable, long-term recovery.
“We need a government that will step up and properly fund the critical front-line services our families rely on from addressing EHCP delays and providing robust SEND support for our children, to protecting our vital local emergency and fire services.”
Mr Redman chairs the council’s children and education scrutiny committee and has been a frequent critic of the Liberal Democrat’s policies at County Hall – including lobbying for substantial changes to the Celebration Mile in Bridgwater town centre (funded by the Bridgwater town deal).
He said he hoped the new prime minister would devolve more powers to local councils to allow future regeneration projects – like the £20 pride in place fund – to move forward in a truly democratic fashion.
He said: “Major regeneration projects like the redevelopment of Bridgwater’s old hospital into a centre of excellence shouldn’t be bogged down by rigid national bureaucracy or fragmented supply chains.
“We need an economic environment where local councils are trusted with direct control, where our independent traders and community owned hubs can actually thrive, and where the decisions that affect our high streets are driven by local knowledge, not top down dictates.
“Somerset Labour is ready to fight for real, practical delivery that local people can see right outside their front doors from fixing our roads to investing in our towns’ unique heritage and future.
“Let’s shift the power closer to the front line.”