Somerset MPs weighs in after Sir Keir Starmer resigns

Speaking outside Downing Street this morning, Sir Keir Starmer said: “The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election.

“I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.

“Every decision I have taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party.”

Gideon Amos, Liberal Democrat MP for Taunton and Wellington, said: “We need a government that will get a grip on people’s energy bills, get our NHS back on its feet and back our small businesses.

“The country needs and deserves an end to the drama at the top of government.”

Fellow Liberal Democrat MP for Tiverton and Minehead, Rachel Gilmour, has also called for an end to the “soap opera” in Number 10, as the UK faces its 7th Prime Minister in just 10 years.

Ms Gilmour says Labour are continuing the Conservatives’ legacy of chaos and instability in its leadership and the British public deserve better.

She said: "I'm not filled with overwhelming joy at this news. From a personal point of view, this is a very sad moment for Keir Starmer and his family.

"However, the British people are sick of being let down by an endless merry-go-round of Prime Ministers, and this time must be different. Labour promised change. What we've got is more of the same Westminster soap opera as under the Conservatives.

"It can't just be about who moves into Number 10. It has to be about delivering positive change for people in our community, at the pace the country needs.

"What we need now is to carry on calmly, have a smooth transition, put the choppy waters behind us, and look forward to a better, more positive future for Tiverton and Minehead and for this country."

(Image: Rachel Gilmour MP)

Liberal Democrat MP for Yeovil Adam Dance has said: "The UK has now had six Prime Ministers in the last ten years. People are tired of seeing leaders come and go while many of the problems they face remain the same.

"This cannot just be about changing the person in Number 10. The Government must focus on the issues people care about, including the NHS, social care, the cost of living and support for local communities.

"Too many people feel that the change they were promised has not been delivered. Whoever becomes the next Prime Minister must focus on getting things done and improving people's lives.

"The Liberal Democrats will continue to hold the Government to account and stand up for patients, carers, farmers and local communities.”

Ashley Fox, MP for Bridgwater, described Keir Starmer's premiership as 'poor' (Image: Houses of Parliament)

Ashley Fox, Conservative MP for Bridgwater, “Keir Starmer has been a poor Prime Minister. His judgement was wrong on too many occasions. Sad to say, he was simply not up to the job.

"But changing the Labour leader will not fix the problem. Andy Burnham has the same weakness: big promises, no serious plan to pay for them, and no answers to the hard choices facing the country.

He added: "Labour’s answer is always the same: higher taxes, more spending, more welfare, weaker borders, and less security for Britain’s future. It does not matter who they put in charge.

We need to get Britain working again. We need lower taxes, real welfare reform, stronger defence, secure energy, and a government that backs people who work hard, do the right thing, and want to get on."

What have other political leaders said about the PM's resignation?

Leader of the Conservatives Kemi Badenoch said on social media this morning: "Keir Starmer is a terrible Prime Minister. But the problem isn’t just Starmer.

"Labour MPs only want higher taxes to hand out more benefits, as the Welfare Secretary has pointed out. These are Labour’s choices and their values, regardless of who is running the party."

Liberal Democrat Leader Sir Ed Davey said Sir Keir Starmer’s replacement would have to change “our broken politics”.

“The British people are sick of being let down by an endless merry-go-round of Prime Ministers while nothing really changes for them,” he said.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called for a general election following Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement.

He said: "Reform demands an election, and we are ready to deliver radical change."

Green Party leader Zack Polanski said Andy Burnham "must be bold or he will be bust" if he replaces Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street.

Mr Polanski said: "The country needs a bold change of direction. Starmer lost the confidence of the country because of his abject failure to challenge the power and wealth of an establishment which has taken for themselves while leaving the vast majority in a cost of living crisis and facing the worst impacts of the climate and nature crisis."