Turner Delivers Scathing Farewell to Starmer
Suspended Labour MP Karl Turner has launched a blistering attack on outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, saying he feels no sympathy for a 'failed politician who's f***ed it up'. The Hull East MP, a key ally of Andy Burnham, issued a blunt 'tatty bye' message as Starmer resigned tearfully on Monday.
Speaking to the News Agents podcast, Mr Turner said: 'I don't feel sorry for a failed politician who's f***ed it up.' He added: 'Thank you very much. Tatty-bye. Farewell. It's been an absolute pleasure and a treat, now let us move on.'
Long-Standing Critic Stripped of Whip
Mr Turner, who worked on Burnham's 2015 Labour leadership campaign, has long been a vocal critic of Sir Keir. He was stripped of the Labour whip in March after a dispute over the government's policy on jury trials. After Burnham was sworn in as Makerfield MP, Turner said: 'Keir Starmer is not very good, that is the real truth. He struggled from the very outset, even in opposition. He struggled with the management of the party.'
Defending calls for Starmer to quit, Turner argued: 'If the leader's utterly c***, is costing you votes and actually you've got no chance whatsoever of winning, why on earth are you going to stick with them?'
Starmer Unpopular in Hull
Mr Turner noted that his majority in the traditionally safe Labour seat dropped in the 2024 election. 'There was no love for Keir Starmer in my patch,' he said. 'I was never a fan of Jeremy Corbyn, but in some parts of my constituency, they loved Jeremy. But universally Keir was disliked in my area.' He criticised Starmer for changing his mind, saying: 'The biggest frustration for me with Keir Starmer is you genuinely did not know what he believed in.'
Burnham Poised to Become PM
Former Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham could become Prime Minister within weeks, as no other candidate appears likely to secure the support of 81 MPs needed to challenge him. Mr Turner backed Burnham's ability to connect with the public, stating: 'He has an ability to speak to people... the essential difference with Andy Burnham is that he is normal, he can speak human and he's charismatic.'
