Starmer Steps Down Amid Political Turmoil
Sir Keir Starmer resigned as Prime Minister on June 22, 2026, outside Number 10 in an emotional speech. He defended his achievements but accepted he was not 'best placed to lead' the party, stepping down 'with a good grace'. Starmer became PM after a landslide general election victory in July 2024, but his position came under intense scrutiny following the Mandelson scandal and heavy losses in the May local elections.
Lib Dems Call for Leadership Overhaul
Liberal Democrat MPs have criticised the Labour party, urging them to 'get a grip' as the government faces a power vacuum. Lisa Smart, the Lib Dem MP for Hazel Grove, said whoever becomes the next Prime Minister 'needs to drop the dither and the delay'. 'Seven Prime Ministers in ten years suggests that it's more than just the wrong people getting in that's the problem,' she stated. 'We need to change the way we do our politics if we want to see the change in our country I know my constituents are impatient for.' Smart called for a more sensible relationship with Europe, fixing social care to end the NHS crisis, and giving power back to people through voting reform and community control.
Leadership Contest Looms
Starmer's departure will trigger a contest to replace him. Supporters of newly minted Makerfield MP Andy Burnham hope he will be the only candidate, making it a 'coronation' rather than a leadership contest, provided no other candidate can gather the necessary 81 supporting MPs. However, late on Wednesday evening, the Telegraph's politics editor Tony Diver reported that 'dozens' of Labour MPs would push for a leadership bid from Darren Jones to impede Burnham's path.
Morrison: 'Get a Grip'
Tom Morrison, the Lib Dem MP for Cheadle, urged party bosses to 'get a grip'. 'People are sick and tired of the constant changing at Number 10,' he said. 'Energy bills are still too high, taxes are the highest they’ve been in decades and our NHS still creaks under the strain of under investment. Can someone in the Labour Government please get a grip, make the changes needed to fix the country and properly invest in our economy.' Morrison added: 'We were promised change after 14 years of chaos with the conservatives and now history is repeating. The public need a functioning government that delivers, the new Prime Minister must do that.'
