Category: Speeches

  • Mark Carney – 2026 Comments on Keir Starmer’s Resignation

    Mark Carney – 2026 Comments on Keir Starmer’s Resignation

    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.”

  • Gordon Brown – 2026 Comments on the Resignation of Keir Starmer

    Gordon Brown – 2026 Comments on the Resignation of Keir Starmer

    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.

  • Jack Abbott – 2026 Comments on the Resignation of Keir Starmer

    Jack Abbott – 2026 Comments on the Resignation of Keir Starmer

    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.

  • Emmanuel Macron – 2026 Comments on Keir Starmer

    Emmanuel Macron – 2026 Comments on Keir Starmer

    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.

  • Kemi Badenoch – 2026 Comments on Labour Leadership Crisis

    Kemi Badenoch – 2026 Comments on Labour Leadership Crisis

    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.

  • Ursula von der Leyen – 2026 Comments on Keir Starmer

    Ursula von der Leyen – 2026 Comments on Keir Starmer

    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.

  • Andy Burnham – 2026 Statement Confirming Leadership Bid

    Andy Burnham – 2026 Statement Confirming Leadership Bid

    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.

  • Wes Streeting – 2026 Statement Supporting Andy Burnham

    Wes Streeting – 2026 Statement Supporting Andy Burnham

    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.

  • John Slinger – 2026 Comments in Support of Keir Starmer

    John Slinger – 2026 Comments in Support of Keir Starmer

    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.

  • Ed Davey – 2026 Comments on Labour Turmoil

    Ed Davey – 2026 Comments on Labour Turmoil

    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