Anger, smugness and calls for election – How party leaders reacted to Starmer’s resignation
Given that Prime Ministers announcing their resignations from the steps of Downing Street is becoming an alarmingly regular occourence, one element has become almost as important.
Given that Prime Ministers announcing their resignations from the steps of Downing Street is becoming an alarmingly regular occourence, one element has become almost as important.
It might seem obvious that the prominent figures in other parties would dance on the grave of a deposed Prime Minister, but in fact it is something of a political tightrope.
Because, as the outpouring of goodwill towards Sir Keir Starmer has proved, with fulsome tribute from even those who called for him to quit, even the most unpopular politicians can be given a boost in their public standing when they throw in the towel.
That means those that look too smug or mocking can risk something of a backlash.
With Sir Keir confirming his departure, and Andy Burnham all-but-guaranteed to replace him, here is what the party leaders across the country, and political spectrum, have said about the now ex Labour boss.
There was no sign of any magnanimity or modesty from the leader of Reform – who are currently leading in the polls.
Taking to his new Substack (a platform he started using in a bid to circumvent ‘biased’ media), Farage immediately claimed credit for Starmer’s defenestration.
The Reform leader wrote: ‘Starmer isn’t the first Prime Minister I’ve deposed, and he won’t be the last. David Cameron. Theresa May. Rishi Sunak.
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In what looks to be a preview of Reform’s attack line on the man set to replace Sir Keir, Farage immediately questioned the democratic legitimacy of a Prime Minister who wasn’t even in parliament during the last election.
The Clacton MP, who also called for a general election, added: ‘I happen to believe that a mandate from the British people matters.