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.
The statement made by Wes Streeting on 22 June 2026.
Keir Starmer led us to a general election victory that no one thought possible. He kept us out of the war in Iran and has delivered real progress as prime minister at home. He has made the right decision to stand down as the leader of the Labour Party that he saved.
After a devastating set of election results in May, the Makerfield by-election has proven that Labour can still win if we have the courage to change. It was a victory for unity and hope over division and hatred.
It was also Andy Burnham’s victory. Andy has shown what Labour can be when we are inclusive, united, and in touch with the lives of the people this Party was founded to represent.
I left the government because we were losing the fight to nationalists in every corner of the country. I have spent the weeks since speaking to our former councillors, activists and voters in place we lost – to listen and learn from them.
I’ve also been setting out ideas to change our country: a plan for Britain to grow again and grow together, with a progressive capitalism focused on wealth creation as much as wealth distribution; to lead the world in the fourth industrial revolution and protect people from its risks; to modernise our public services; to give Britain energy security; to build stronger alliances with democracies around the world and a new special relationship with Europe; and to change the culture of our party so that it is more inclusive and open to ideas.
Having spoken at length with Andy in recent days, I’m convinced that there is a place for those ideas under his leadership; that he is committed to building an inclusive party that draws on the best of our political traditions; and that he can win the fight of our lives against the forces of nationalism.
We could spend the summer exaggerating small differences, or we can roll up our sleeves and help him to deliver the change our party and our country needs. That is the choice that I am making and I hope that everyone else will back Andy, too.
We were elected to change our country, to show that politics can be a force for good, and to spread opportunity for everyone. With Andy, we still can.
The comments made by John Slinger, the Labour MP for Rugby, on 22 June 2026.
There is a human being at the heart of this story, and that matters more than the story. Keir Starmer put the country first at the G7 last week, then went straight back to the day job. He walks towards the problems, not away. We owe him the decency of remembering that.
The comments made by Ed Davey, the Leader of the Liberal Democrats, on 22 June 2026.
The British people are sick of being let down by an endless merry-go-round of Prime Ministers while nothing really changes for them.
This time must be different. It can’t just be about changing who’s in Number 10, it has to be about changing our broken politics so we can fix our country.
That means tackling the cost of living with a bold new deal with Europe, fixing social care at long last to end the NHS crisis, and giving power back to people by voting reform and giving communities more control.
Whoever becomes Prime Minister needs to drop the caution and complacency and show the ambition our country deserves
The comments made by Anne Soubry on 21 June 2026.
No one should be celebrating what seems certain to be the imminent departure of Keir Starmer and arrival of our seventh PM in 10 years Something has gone horribly wrong in British politics. Stability and competence were key parts of what made us a great country.
Poorer quality politicians, the cheapening of political debate (in part social media but also MSM) and rise of so called populism led to Brexit and the decision to leave the EU just exacerbated the demise of competent Govt, sensible politics & decent politicians.
The comments made by James Cleverly, the Conservative MP for Braintree, on 21 June 2026.
Labour is all over the place.
Starmer is weak and distracted, the party has no plan, there is no constancy.
This is why there are so many daft contradictions in their proposals.
The comments made by Tim Farron, the Liberal Democrat MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale, on 22 June 2026.
Starmer’s been a poor PM, but the vitriol and hatred towards him is just weird. It comes from both the far left and far right. It’s contrived by people whose motives are deeply suspect. Part of me wants him to survive just to spite them.
The comments made by Deborah Meaden on 22 June 2026.
I know a contest would take an even greater personal toll but I voted for Labour under your leadership and an untested Coronation will fail this Country. I want to know what Andy Burnham means by “better” because so far it lacks a great deal of substance.
The comments made by Mike Tapp, a Minister at the Home Office, on 21 June 2026.
Is it time to legislate; if a change of leader is forced by its own Party then a General Election must be called.
That would stop the constant churn and focus all politicians on delivery, instead of work place politics. These endless ‘house of cards’ games would end and the country would benefit.
Let’s legislate to focus minds.