Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s resignation may not have been unexpected but it was by no means unwelcome in the eyes of local politicians.
The PM spoke to the King on Monday morning and informed him of his intention to step aside.
And in an emotional resignation speech to the public which followed, he said: “Every decision I’ve taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party. I have spoken to His Majesty the King this morning to inform him of my decision.
“I will ask the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party to set out a timetable with nominations opening on 9 July and completed by the summer recess. In the case of a contest, this will ensure a new leader is in place before Parliament returns in September.
“I will remain in post as Prime Minister until the contest is complete. And I will do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power.
“I will also give my successor my full and unequivocal support, knowing that they will inherit a Britain that is far stronger and fairer than the one I inherited two years ago, better prepared for the challenges ahead, and better able to ensure the Labour Party secures a second term in office.”
Upper Bann DUP MP Carla Lockhart was among those to welcome the news of the PM’s impending departure.
She said: “Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as Prime Minister. His time in office won’t be fondly remembered. He led a Government which attacked pensioners, farmers and the working people of this country.
“I called for him to go then, and at long last he has done the right thing. What we do not need now is a new PM with the same terrible policies and agenda.
“We need someone who will tackle illegal immigration head on, open up the North Sea and stop our reliance on foreign energy, reduce the tax burden on working families and start to make our United Kingdom great again.
“This nation has huge potential. The new PM needs to unleash it.”
Sinn Fein First Minister Michelle O’Neill said his resignation “underscores the chaos of Westminster and how our future is better served by breaking our links with Britain”.
Reacting to the news, she said: “Successive British governments have cut our public services and weakened our economy, leaving ordinary people struggling to make ends meet while a small elite grows ever wealthier.
“I stand ready to work constructively with the incoming British Prime Minister, but I will be clear that a hugely different approach is needed. People here are not second-class citizens.
“They deserve proper and fair investment in our public services, real support through the cost of living crisis, and respect for our democratic right to decide our own future.”
Newry and Armagh MP Daire Hughes said: “Britain will now have had more Prime Ministers in the 10 years since Brexit, than in the 40 years before. Chaos in Westminster is the order of the day.
“Westminster has never governed in the interests of people here and never will.”
The Sinn Fein MP added: “We have an avenue out of this chaos, an ability to shape our own future and build something new, something better.
“It’s long past time for serious planning on Irish unity. It’s time for the Irish Government to plan properly for unity and work towards setting a date for unity referendums.”
Ulster Unionist Upper Bann MLA Doug Beattie said the decision by Sir Keir Starmer to step down was driven by internal party pressures rather than the best interests of the United Kingdom.
He said: “Keir Starmer never fully got to grips with delivering the decisive change the country needs. He is a decent man, but that is not enough. His failings on key appointments, U‑turns on welfare, lack of candour on legacy issues, and inability to influence his Cabinet on defence and security meant he was unlikely to survive as Prime Minister.
“Unpopularity is always a burden in politics, but once it turns into open rebellion, it becomes unsustainable.”
Mr Beattie warned that a change in leadership should not be mistaken for a shift that benefits the wider public, adding: “Anyone who believes that changing the leader of the Labour Party, and therefore the Prime Minister, is in the country’s best interests should think again. This move is about what is best for the Labour Party, not the nation. Any shift in direction is likely to take on a populist tone to shore up backbench support.”
He also outlined the likely policy implications of a leadership transition, particularly in relation to defence and legacy issues:
“In practical terms, it is likely that the Defence Investment Plan will secure the funding originally promised, particularly if a new Chancellor replaces Rachel Reeves,” said Mr Beattie.
“The veterans’ lobby, already positioning itself for a new Prime Minister, will push for renewed scrutiny of the Northern Ireland Troubles legislation, while the current Secretary of State is likely to defend the legacy framework agreed between the UK and Irish Governments. This approach remains deeply unpopular and continues to create tension between the Ministry of Defence and the Northern Ireland Office.”
Looking ahead, Mr Beattie said the early direction of a new Prime Minister would be critical: “If, as expected, Andy Burnham succeeds Keir Starmer as Prime Minister, his premiership will be quickly defined by defence, security, and legacy issues. Figures on the wings will demand firm commitments to the armed forces and will be vocal if these are not forthcoming.
“Cohesion and stability, particularly across the four nations of the United Kingdom, must be the priority. That was the advice given previously, and it remains unchanged for his successor.”
