Starmer Resigns: What do Kent politicians think?
It's less than 2 years since he came to power
Sir Keir Starmer has announced he will resign as Prime Minister less than two years after coming to power.
In a statement outside 10 Downing Street, Sir Keir said his party had asked “whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election”.
One Kent MP has described it as a “sad day”, while Reform leader Nigel Farage is calling for a General Election.
Sir Keir said: “I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.”
His emotional statement followed a weekend spent mulling his future with his family at Chequers, the Prime Minister’s country residence.
While his decision remained unclear early on Monday, ministerial allies and Number 10 staff gathered in Downing Street shortly before 9.30am in an indication Sir Keir was preparing to announce his resignation.
Sir Keir’s decision to stand down means Labour will now hold a contest to choose his successor, with Andy Burnham seen as the frontrunner.
The former Greater Manchester mayor is expected to arrive in Westminster to be sworn in as an MP on Monday afternoon after winning the Makerfield by-election.
Former health secretary Wes Streeting is also expected to put himself forward as a candidate.
Reacting to the news, Dover’s Labour MP Mike Tapp said: “I’m sorry. Today is a sad day.
“Thank you Keir Starmer for your service.
“I will continue to work hard to deliver for our great country in the Home Office.
“My service in politics will always put country first, no exceptions, no wavering.”
Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage is demanding a General Election.
“We are ready to deliver radical change,” he said.
“If Labour thinks it can shove another professional politician into No 10, it has another thing coming.”
Kent County Council leader, Linden Kemkaran, described the situation as “absolutely farcical”.
“Labour is broken, just like the Conservatives,” the Reform UK councillor said.
“Chopping and changing leaders without the democratic consent of the country.”
Sir Keir was visibly upset as he said he planned to spend time being the “best husband” and “best dad I can to my beautiful children”, after he announced his resignation as Prime Minister.
His voice wavered as he concluded the speech setting out an end point for his time inside No 10 Downing Street, which follows months of pressure for him to stand down and make way for a new Labour leader.
Sir Keir’s voice broke as he said: “When I leave the biggest job in the country, I shall spend more time on the most important job: being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife, Vic, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad, and being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and my joy.”
Tris Osborne, Labour MP for Chatham and Aylesford, described it as a “sombre day”.
“A dignified speech for a deeply honourable man whom has changed my country for the better,” he said.
“We were elected to deliver a manifesto in 2024 and I’ll be working day and night to deliver for my community and country.”
Medway Council’s Labour leader Vince Maple praised Sir Keir’s leadership.
“If you had said to me in December 2019 we would today have a Medway Labour Council, 3 Medway Labour MPs and a Labour Government, I would have strongly questioned your judgement,” he said.
“Keir Starmer’s leadership was a strong part in all those things happening.”
Cllr Brendan Chilton, long-time Labour councillor in Ashford and former Parliamentary candidate, said: “Keir Starmer changed Labour and led us to a landslide victory in 2024.
“Under the Labour government Ashford has seen massive investment in our hospital, breakfast clubs, funding for potholes, prescription charges frozen and crucially for commuters, rail tickets frozen, and an increase in the national minimum wage.
“All great achievements but as Keir Starmer said we now need a new leader to look to the future to win in 2029. We think Keir for his service and now we need a quick leadership election to take the fight to Reform and beat them at the ballot box.”
Labour MP for Dartford Jim Dickson, who was elected in 2024, said he was “saddened” by the news but that “mistakes” had been made.
He continued: “I am grateful to him for his leadership of the Labour Party, for the work he did to make our party a force capable of winning an election again and beginning the process of making this country better for everyone.
“While mistakes have been made over the last two years this is not an outcome that I would have chosen.
“I would now like to see a contest for a new Labour leader and Prime Minister focused on financial stability, growth, the cost of living and rebuilding our public services.
A fellow member of the 2024 intake, Ashford’s Labour MP Sojan Joseph, said he too was “saddened” by the PM’s departure but praised his record of “bold” decisions and reducing immigration.
“Since Keir took office, we have seen Britain become a player on the world stage again, the economy has stabilised and begun to grow, and, thanks to the difficult decisions he took, the Labour Government has been able to make record investment in public services.”
“On top of this, we have seen bold decisions taken – net immigration is down 82%, and over half of the asylum hotels opened under the Tories are now closed, including the one previously open in Ashford.
“Despite today’s news, I am sure that the Labour Party will select the best person for the job and that they will have my full support as a team player and an MP who will always put my constituents and the country first.”