Teesside Politicians react to Sir Keir Starmer's resignation
It's as the man on course to be Britain's fifth Prime Minister in four years has been sworn in as the new MP for Makerfield.
Last updated 22nd Jun 2026
The man on course to be Britain's fifth Prime Minister in four years has been sworn in as the new MP for Makerfield.
Andy Burnham's already declared he wants to get to Number Ten.
His chances have been given a major boost, after he received the backing of former health secretary Wes Streeting.
He was seen as the main potential rival to the former mayor of Greater Manchester.
An emotional Sir Keir Starmer set out a timetable for his resignation earlier - promising an 'orderly handover of power' to his successor.
He said he "accepts" in "good grace" that Labour MPs don't want him to lead them into the next general election.
Candidates wishing to replace him have until the 16th of July to win the support of at least 81 Labour MPs and put their name forward.
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East Labour MP Andy McDonald posted on social media: “The country needs real transformative Labour policies. Delivering change requires political change.
“Those transformative policies must change who benefits from our economy and from people’s hard work. After 14 years of Conservative austerity, people want to see their lives improve for the better – to see the cost of living fall, better jobs available, incomes increasing and public services improving, for the next generation.
“So, it’s time to elect a new Labour leader and PM who can rebuild Labour’s broad church and regain voters’ trust. Let’s build a country where everyone can afford a good life and has the opportunity to thrive.”
Industry minister and Stockton North MP Chris McDonald, who was on a visit to the Wilton Centre when news of Sir Keir’s resignation broke, said it was the “right decision”. He said: “He is a decent guy with a lot of integrity and that has shone through today as it must have been a really hard decision to make.”
Mr McDonald said he felt sorry for Sir Keir, but “as a politician you can’t run away from your popularity”. He said the country needed to reflect on the fact there had been seven Prime Ministers in ten years “if we value long-term stability”.
Mr McDonald added: “From my perspective, I don’t want to see a long drawn out leadership campaign. I’d like the principal people involved to essentially get round a table and sort this out and come to a conclusion that the Parliamentary Labour Party can get behind.”
Redcar Labour MP Anna Turley has posted a letter she wrote to the outgoing Prime Minister, saying: “The thing I want to say most to you is thank you. Thank you for turning the Labour Party around from its worst defeat in nearly 100 years in just a few short years… leading us to an historic win, including in parts of the country we had never won before. Giving us the opportunity to throw off the Tory yoke of inequality, isolationism, crippling austerity and corruption on behalf of the people we represent.
She praised his choices in government on child poverty, British steel, the international stage, the NHS. the children’s social media ban, immigration and rights at work, adding: “Thank you for giving me the chance to be part of this change, and to chair our beloved Labour Party – the greatest vehicle for fairness and social justice this country has ever seen.
“I’m sorry that the nature of politics now is so impatient, so unforgiving and so personally brutal. You have shown that in a world of easy promises, irresponsible rhetoric and lazy, dangerous populism, it is still possible to do things the right way – to show duty, decency and the real patriotism of hard work and service.
“For all of that, and the fact that the country is on a firm path, with a Labour government, to being a better place than it was when you entered Downing Street, I want to sincerely thank you.”
Luke Myer, Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said: “The Prime Minister was right to step down today. As I have said before, he deserves lasting credit for 2024, but in 2026, he does not command the confidence of Parliament.
“Nonetheless, while I have made criticisms, I also recognise that it is a tough job in unforgiving global conditions. I want to thank him for his service to our democracy and our country. Progress on workers’ rights, industry, our NHS and child poverty have all benefitted Teesside.
“On behalf of our area, I will be listening carefully to potential candidates and use my nomination to ensure the next Prime Minister understands what we need on Teesside. My priority is my home, and nobody will get my vote unless they understand and will support our region.”
Conservative Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Keir Starmer’s resignation is the inevitable consequence of a government that has completely lost the confidence of the British people. But while there may be a change at the top, the country remains in the hands of a Labour Party that has shown itself fundamentally incapable of meeting the challenges we face.
“The public were promised change, yet barely a week has passed without another U-turn, another controversy, or another policy that makes life harder for working people. The next Prime Minister will inherit the same fundamental problem, leading a Labour Party that is entirely ungovernable, and more interested in higher taxes and expanding the welfare state than backing those who work hard, create jobs and drive growth.
“The country doesn’t need a change of face. It needs a complete change of direction.”
Stockton West Conservative MP Matt Vickers said on social media: “Starmer is finally on his way out. But changing the man at the top will not fix our country.
“It’s the same party, with the same failed ideas – and they’ll cause the same damage. We need to get Britain working again with Kemi Badenoch and the Conservatives.”