'He dragged Labour back from electoral oblivion' - Sunderland MP Bridget Phillipson's praise for outgoing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer
A Sunderland MP has spoken out following the announcement that Prime Minister Keir Starmer will resign.
A Sunderland MP and cabinet colleague has spoken out following the announcement that Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will resign.
The PM announced on Monday outside 10 Downing Street that he is standing down from the top job and as leader of the Labour Party.
A process will begin to appoint his successor in coming weeks although it is unclear if there will be a contest or not.
The resignation announcement follows the May local elections which saw Labour face deep losses and also follows a number of high-profile parliamentary by-elections.
These include the recent Makerfield by-election on June 18 which saw Andy Burnham elected to Parliament, with the former Greater Manchester Mayor expected to stand to replace the Prime Minister.
The PM, who led the Labour Party to power in the 2024 General Election, has pledged to ensure an orderly handover of power and to give his successor his full support.
MPs across the country have been reacting to the news of Keir Starmer’s resignation.
When approached for comment, Houghton and Sunderland South MP Bridget Phillipson, said she was “enormously proud to serve in his government”.
The Labour MP, who has served in the PM’s cabinet as Education Secretary, added that Keir Starmer had “changed our party and changed our country for the better”.
She continued: “He dragged Labour back from electoral oblivion, ridded the party of the poison of antisemitism, and achieved what many said was impossible, a landslide election victory, in a single Parliamentary term.
“In government, he has stabilised our economy, restored our reputation abroad and has put us on the road to lifting half a million children out of poverty – in just two years.
“I am enormously proud to serve in his government. We owe Keir a huge debt of gratitude.”
Sunderland Central MP Lewis Atkinson and Washington and Gateshead South MP Sharon Hodgson were also approached for comment.