'He and his party have failed in office': MPs react to Starmer’s resignation

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Sir Keir Starmer resigned as prime minister on Monday morning outside Downing Street, just two years after taking the position following Labour's historic general election win.

The prime minister's cabinet colleagues have shared their reaction to the news on social media.

Housing secretary Steve Reed said the PM brought "Labour back from the brink" and is "changing Britain for the better.

Read more: Emotional Keir Starmer pays tribute to family in Downing Street resignation speech

Read more: In full: Keir Starmer's resignation speech

The Mayor of London described Starmer as a "man of great integrity" and commended the PM for his devoted career to public service.

In a statement, Sir Sadiq Khan said: "Keir Starmer has made a huge contribution to the Labour party and our country, and I want to thank him."

He went on: "He is only the fifth Labour leader to have won a general election, which has allowed him to deliver real progress."

Chancellor Rachel Reeves credited Starmer with his general election win following "the worst defeat in modern history", adding "I am grateful for Keir's leadership and the work he has done to build a stronger, more secure Britain".

Yvette Cooper, foreign secretary, said Starmer showed "great strength, dignity and determination to put public service and the interests of the country first".

David Lammy, deputy prime minister said Starmer "transformed the Labour Party", writing, "I’ve known Keir since he was a lawyer. He was principled then, just as he is now, and throughout his career he has been driven by a deep sense of public service and duty to this country."

Lucy Powell, deputy leader of the party, said that Keir "made us electable again" and that Labour owes him a "huge amount". She added: "We must now come together as a Party, choose a new leader, and show the country that we can do orderly transition well."

Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, said Starmer "led our party from the brink, back to power".

Pat McFadden, the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions said that both the Labour Party and the country "owes a great deal" to Starmer.

Ed Miliband, the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero said he was "immensely proud" of the prime minister, and that he showed "great dignity and integrity".

Starmer's chief secretary, Darren Jones, said he felt "proud" to stand by the prime minister this morning.

Fellow former PM Gordon Brown credited Starmer for bringing Labour back into office and said Starmer's "place in history is assured.

Former defence minister Al Carns, who resigned earlier this month, wrote: "Keir has done the right thing. It took courage to make that decision and I respect him for it."

Donald Trump took to social media to predict that Starmer would resign as he "failed badly" on immigration and energy, in a move which has been slammed by critics as breaking diplomatic protocol.

The US President wrote on Truth Social: "Keir Starmer will resign as Prime Minister of The United Kingdom. He failed badly on two very important subjects- IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (OPEN NORTH SEA OIL!). I wish him well!"

Reactions have also poured in from opposition, including Reform UK MP Danny Kruger, who described the PM's announcement as "a dignified resignation speech", before adding: "But he's going because he and his party have failed in office"

Reform leader Nigel Farage said the prime minister was “finished” and called for a general election “at the soonest possible date”, arguing Labour should not be allowed to replace him without a public vote.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski blamed the PM's abject failure" to challenge structural inequality in both economic and political spheres, and insisted that the country needed "bold change" following Starmer's resignation.