Following Sir Keir Starmer's resignation announcement from Downing Street, opposition leaders across the UK political spectrum have issued statements ranging from triumphalism to calls for a general election. The reactions reflect a delicate political balance, as even unpopular leaders often receive a public sympathy boost upon stepping down.
Nigel Farage claims credit and demands election
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage wasted no time taking credit for Starmer's downfall. Writing on his Substack, Farage stated: 'Starmer isn't the first Prime Minister I've deposed, and he won't be the last. David Cameron. Theresa May. Rishi Sunak. And next up – Andy Burnham.' He questioned the legitimacy of a Prime Minister not elected in the last general election and called for an immediate election, adding: 'Britain needs change – real change, not another washed-up has-been shoved into place by the uniparty.'
Kemi Badenoch lists Starmer's failings
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch took a combative tone on X, listing what she described as Starmer's failures: 'Hiking national insurance, the Family Farm Tax, giving up on real welfare reform, not funding our defence, not drilling our own oil and gas, appointing Peter Mandelson…then lying about what had happened.' She argued the problem extended beyond Starmer, saying: 'Labour MPs only want higher taxes to hand out more benefits.'
Ed Davey: End the merry-go-round
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey struck a more sorrowful note, stating: '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.'
Green Party targets Burnham
Green Party leader Zack Polanski attacked Starmer while laying down a challenge to likely successor Andy Burnham. He wrote: 'Starmer lost the confidence of the country because of his abject failure to challenge the power and wealth of an establishment.' Polanski added: 'We are still waiting to see which version of Andy Burnham is going to show up in Downing Street. The time for half measures and sticking plasters is long gone – Burnham must be bold or he will be bust.'
Nationalist leaders: Independence is the answer
SNP First Minister John Swinney offered a personal note: 'On a personal level, I wish Keir Starmer and his family well. Leadership places extraordinary demands.' He argued the solution for Scotland was independence. Sinn Féin leader Michelle O'Neill echoed this, stating Starmer's departure 'underscores the chaos of Westminster and how our future is better served by breaking our links with Britain.' Plaid Cymru's Rhun ap Iorwerth demanded the next PM commit to greater powers and fair funding for Wales.
Far-right conspiracy claims
Rupert Lowe of the Restore party accused Starmer of 'deliberately and rapidly accelerating the destruction of Britain,' adding: 'I do not believe him to be a good man or a patriot.'
