Shadow Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Alex Burghart delivered a scathing critique of the Labour Party on GB News Breakfast, just minutes before Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed his resignation. Speaking via video link from Westminster, Burghart told hosts Alex Armstrong and Ellie Costello that no matter who succeeds Starmer, the Labour government faces disaster.
Burghart's Criticism of Labour Leadership
Burghart stated: "I think the Labour Party's stuck between a rock and a hard place....The problem is that Andy Burnham doesn't really know what his agenda is. He hasn't set out what he would do if he were prime minister in any clear terms at all, and that means there really ought to be some sort of contest, so that Burnham can set out, and other potential candidates can set out what they actually want to do, so that the Labour Party can make an informed choice. That said, I don't have any confidence in the Labour Party's ability to make a decent choice, so I think it will end in disaster one way or another."
Economic Experience Under Fire
Continuing his withering appraisal, Burghart said: "I think the truth is that none of these people has any economic experience at all. None of them has ever run a business, none of them ever worked in industry, and consequently, you have Ed Miliband putting up the country's energy prices, causing businesses to close...causing people to lose their jobs. They should be - we should be - getting energy...oil and gas out of the North Sea, and getting people's electricity down, as Claire Coutinho and Kemi [Badenoch] have proposed."
He also criticised Health Secretary Wes Streeting, noting: "You've got West Streeting, who...took over the Department of Health, and what have we seen? Strike after strike after strike."
Call for Tough Leadership
Burghart fumed: "It just doesn't inspire anyone with confidence...I think that we need proper tough leadership, people who understand the economy." When asked if he would like a general election should Burnham take over as Prime Minister, he admitted it was unlikely: "I'm afraid I don't think we're going to get a general election. The turkeys don't vote for Christmas. These people will cling on. I really want to get rid of this government. I really want to get rid of this government. I really want to get rid of the Labour Party in power. It's been a disaster, but I don't think we're going to have that opportunity."
Starmer's Resignation
Just after 9:30 am, Starmer confirmed he was stepping down as Prime Minister following a brutal rejection from his own MPs. During his resignation speech, the Prime Minister defended his record, pointing to his economic plans, falling NHS waiting lists, workers' rights reforms, a fall in small boat crossings, and his social media ban.
