Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has reacted to Keir Starmer’s resignation as UK Prime Minister, calling his time in office unsuccessful and blaming Labour policies for the country’s problems.
In a statement on X shortly after Starmer’s announcement on Monday, Badenoch attacked several decisions made under his government, including tax rises, welfare policy, defence funding, energy plans and political appointments.
“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 wrote.
Badenoch said Britain’s challenges go beyond Starmer himself and are rooted in Labour’s values and policy choices.
“Britain is not ungovernable. Keir Starmer is a terrible Prime Minister. But the problem isn’t just Starmer,” she said.
She argued that Labour MPs favour higher taxes and greater welfare spending over economic growth.
“Labour MPs only want higher taxes to hand out more benefits, as the Welfare Secretary has pointed out. These are Labour’s choices and their values, regardless of who is running the party,” Badenoch added.
Calling for change, she said the Conservatives remain best placed to revive the economy.
“We need to get Britain working again. We need the Conservatives,” she stated.
Starmer announced his resignation less than two years after taking office. Speaking outside 10 Downing Street on Monday, he said it was time for new leadership before the next general election. He said the process of choosing a new Labour leader would begin in July and that he would stay on until a successor is selected, with the transition expected to be completed by September.
Starmer also said he plans to spend more time with his family, thanked his wife, Vic, for her support, and acknowledged that growing pressure within the Labour Party played a role in his decision to step aside.
