Labour MPs in the region react to Starmer resignation

Labour politicians from across the south of England have provided a mixed response to Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as prime minister and party leader.

Sir Keir announced his departure in an emotional press conference in Downing Street on Monday.

He said he accepted with "good grace" that his party no longer believed he was the right person "to lead us into the next general election".

Banbury MP Sean Woodcock, who has been a Starmer loyalist, said he felt Sir Keir "should've been given more time to turn things around".

"We promised to end chaos and instability and I struggle to see how changing leaders delivers on that promise," he said.

"While I believe that changing leader like this is a mistake, obviously I want any new Labour leadership team to succeed and I sincerely hope that they do."

Woodcock was part of the Labour cohort that swept to power under Sir Keir's leadership at the 2024 general election alongside Tom Hayes - with both winning constituencies the party had never previously held.

Bournemouth East MP Hayes told the BBC it was a "sad day" but he thought the prime minister had "made the right decision for the party and the country".

"The country spoke at the local elections, they couldn't have been clearer and the result was very stark for the Labour Party," he said.

"The prime minister has taken the time to reflect on those results... and he's concluded that in a democracy when voters speak, you listen."

The MP for Earley and Woodley Yuan Yang praised Sir Keir for his "incredible grace and leadership" which she said would allow the party to "move forward and revitalise itself".

Yang, who is another member of the 2024 cohort and has called for Sir Keir to resign in recent weeks, added his government had overseen "great successes" that it could "look back on with pride".

Stephen Morgan, who has been the Labour MP for Portsmouth South since 2017, said it had been "a privilege" to work alongside Sir Keir.

"He has led us through some of the most challenging times with determination, integrity, and compassion, always putting the UK first," he said.

During his announcement, Sir Keir said he had asked the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party to set out a timetable with nominations opening for the leadership on 9 July.

He said this should be completed by the summer recess - meaning a new leader would be in place before parliament returns in September.