The comments made by Sam Rushworth, the Labour MP for Bishop Auckland, on 22 June 2026.
Keir Starmer is a good man. A family man. He transformed the Labour Party and took us back to power. People don’t see it yet, but history will judge him well.
Whoever we choose to lead next will have my loyal support, like Keir has had, as we go on serving the country we love.
The comments made by Lisa Nandy, the Labour MP for Wigan, on 22 June 2026.
Keir Starmer took the Labour Party from our worst election defeat in nearly a century into government, where we have started to rebuild our public services, invest in our communities and open up opportunities for a generation again.
The comments made by Nadia Whittome, the Labour MP for Nottingham East, on 22 June 2026.
The Prime Minister has made the right decision.
I want to thank Keir for all his work as leader of our party. While we haven’t always seen eye to eye, I believe he cares deeply about the people of this country, and his dedication to the role has never been in question. He achieved a historic victory at the last general election and, under his tenure, our government has passed the biggest uplift to renters’ and workers’ rights in a generation; taken important action to tackle violence against women and girls; lifted children out of poverty; prioritised clean energy; and renationalised train services.
On a personal level, I have appreciated the kindness and respect Keir has shown me, including during difficult conversations. I wish him and his family well during this period of transition and for the next chapter of their lives.
I am sad that it has come to this, just two years into a Labour government – a precious, rare opportunity that has largely been squandered, burning through political goodwill and opening the door to a far-right government come the next election.
Even though I did not vote for Keir to become leader, I desperately wanted him and our party to succeed. Throughout many disagreements and mistakes, I hoped the situation was retrievable and that he could change direction. Last November, when it became clear that the Prime Minister and those around him were unwilling to genuinely listen and learn from their errors, I publicly called for him to stand down.
Going forward, we cannot continue with more of the same, just with someone new at the helm. We need a change of direction that is much bolder on the cost-of-living crisis, refuses to give an inch to Reform and aims to unite the country in the face of division.
When Keir stood to be Labour leader in 2020, he ran on a platform that largely had my support. That platform – which included taxing the rich, public ownership, putting human rights at the heart of foreign policy, and defending migrants’ rights – came far closer to meeting the demands of our times than the direction in which he took the party afterwards. We should return to those ideas and our party’s core values, while restoring party democracy to safeguard against the same errors being made in the future.
There must now be a timely and fully democratic contest, in which candidates set out their policies and Labour and affiliated trade union members elect the next leader.
The comments made by Mark Carney, the Prime Minister of Canada, on 22 June 2026.
It has been a privilege to work alongside Sir Keir Starmer as he has led international efforts to support Ukraine through the Coalition of the Willing, strengthen Nato, improve Arctic cooperation, and deepen the historic partnership between Canada and the United Kingdom.
Throughout, and in the face of exceptional challenges, Keir has acted with principle, determination, and collaboration. The world is safer and allies are more united because of his efforts.
Keir, thank you for your lifetime of public service. I am grateful for your friendship, and I wish you all the best as you concentrate on your “most important job.”
The comments made by Gordon Brown, the former Prime Minister, on 22 June 2026.
I know Keir as a decent honourable leader who has at all times been determined to put the needs of the country first. Today we think also of the huge support given by Vic and their family and wish them all well in the future.
The comments made by Jack Abbott, the Labour MP for Ipswich, on 22 June 2026.
My statement on the Prime Minister’s resignation:
I am deeply disappointed that the Prime Minister has stood down, less than two years after leading the Labour Party to a landslide victory, which returned our Party to Government for the first time in a generation.
In truth, ‘disappointed’ is a gross understatement. The inheritance left to the Prime Minister, our Party, and our country, was utterly appalling. Our economy was in pieces, every public service was on its knees, we had stopped building, the next generation had a poorer future than the one before it, our society had split at the seams, and we had became totally attuned to trying to deal with crises, rather than doing the things needed to prevent them.
The Prime Minister set us on a different path, stabilising the economy despite the international headwinds, cutting NHS waiting lists and investing in crucial infrastructure once again. On the world stage, he was the statesman we needed in times of geopolitical instability, and his decisions will lift hundreds of thousands of children out of poverty.
For places like Ipswich and Suffolk, the Prime Minister has laid the foundations for us to rebuild from. Sizewell C has already delivering hundreds of jobs, with many more to come. Pride in Place funding will invest in and transform our communities. Our new Community Diagnostic Centre will come online next year. Bus services have had their biggest upgrade for nearly 30 years. Crime rates are at their lowest level for a decade.
That doesn’t mean to say that our work is finished, far from it, but the Prime Minister should have had the chance to complete the job.
Governing is hard, and it is perhaps harder than ever before. That doesn’t mean to say that other Prime Ministers haven’t had to face seismic challenges before, of course they have, but now the intensity is relentless, patience is in short supply, and we are in an era of constant volatility. What will be seven Prime Ministers in 10 years underlines that. We all must reflect properly, and know that we have to be better at navigating the tough moments, not succumb to them. If we don’t, governing won’t simply be hard – it will be impossible.
On a personal level, I cannot begin to imagine the sacrifices that Sir Keir and his family have made while he has been Prime Minister, and the Leader of the Labour Party. He cares so deeply about our country, and gave everything to serve it. He is thoroughly decent, has carried himself with real grace and dignity, and leaves a legacy for our Party and our country that will be felt for years to come.
I will remain forever grateful for his leadership that changed our Party, and returned us to Government. That leadership meant that I have the privilege of serving Ipswich, and I will continue to work every day for the town I love, my home.
The Prime Minister’s speech was typically decent of him, as was his promise to support a transition to a new leader in the best interests of our Party and our country. After that, I hope he is afforded quality time and space to be with his family because they all richly deserve it.
The comments made by Emmanuel Macron, the President of France, on 22 June 2026.
I would like to thank Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his contribution to strengthening the Franco-British relationship, his commitment to in the coalition of volunteers for Ukraine, and to reviving the relationship between the UK and the European Union.
The work done together for defence, nuclear energy, space and innovation, especially at our Franco-British summit last July, is a testament to that commitment.
We will continue on this path for the benefit of our people and Europe.
The comments made by Kemi Badenoch, the Leader of the Opposition, on 22 June 2026.
The country is not being governed and Labour say there won’t be a Prime Minister till September.
Keir Starmer is off on a farewell tour and Andy Burnham wants a summer holiday. Neither is thinking about our national security.
We need to cut welfare and fund our military.
The comments made by Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, on 22 June 2026.
It can take many leaders years to grow into the statesman you became in just two years.
European and Ukrainian security is stronger because of you.
Thank you, dear Keir.
The statement made by Andy Burnham on 22 June 2026.
Keir has given huge service to our country and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication during such a challenging period.
His decision marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way. I will put myself forward as part of this process.
The country expects stability, seriousness and a continued focus on the issues that matter most and that is what it will get. As we move forward, our priority must be to work together to get the country back to where we all want it to be.
People want to see progress on economic growth, cost of living, public services, housing and opportunities for the next generation. Political change should never distract from the responsibility to improve people’s lives.
The Labour movement has always been at its strongest when it looks forward with confidence and purpose.
This is what we will do from here and we will make sure this transition is a positive process of renewal for our party and our country.