News and politics recap: Anthony Albanese reacts to Keir Starmer’s resignation as UK Prime Minister

Former UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting who resigned last month after expressing a lack of confidence in Keir Starmer’s leadership has publicly backed Andy Burnham to replace the outgoing leader following his resignation from Downing Street.

In a statement, Mr Streeting praised Sir Keir’s achievements but argued that Mr Burnham’s recent Makerfield by-election victory proved he is the leader who can unite the party.

He, however, thanked Sir Keir for leading UK Labour to victory in the 2024 general election and for his service to the country.

“Keir Starmer led us to a general election victory that no one thought possible,” he said.

“He kept us out of the war in Iran and has delivered real progress as Prime Minister at home.

“He has made the right decision to stand down as the Leader of the Labour Party that he saved.

“After a devastating set of (council) election results in May, the Makerfield by-election has proven that Labour can still win if we have the courage to change.

“It was also Andy Burnham’s victory. “Andy has shown what Labour can be when we are inclusive, united, and in touch with the lives of the people this Party was founded to represent.

“Having spoken at length with Andy in recent days, I’m convinced that there is a place for those ideas under his leadership; that he is committed to building an inclusive party that draws on the best of our political traditions; and that he can win the fight of our lives against the forces of nationalism.

“That is the choice that I am making and I hope that everyone else will back Andy, too.”

UK’s Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves has expressed her gratitude to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer after his resignation.

The head of the UK Treasury said the pair had “achieved a lot together to be proud of” and thanked Sir Keir for leading the party to a “landslide majority” at the 2024 UK general elections.

“There is more to do. I am grateful for Keir’s leadership and the work he has done to build a stronger, more secure Britain,” Ms Reeves said in a statement on Monday.

Leader of the UK Conservative Party Kemi Badenoch has questioned the dragged out timeline for the replacement of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer after former health secretary and leadership aspirant Wes Streeting has publicly backed Andy Burnham.

Resharing Mr Streeting’s statement to X, which gave Mr Burnham full throated support, Ms Badenoch said “If you’re not running, what are we waiting for?”

Mr Streeting had highlighted Mr Burnham’s strong win at the Makerfield by-election as proof that he was the person to leader the UK Labour party.

After announcing he would leave Downing Street, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer outlined the timeline to replace him.

Nominations will open on July 9 and are expected to be completed “by the summer recess”, which is a week later, on July 16.

The new leader will be in place by the time Parliament returns from its summer break on September 1.

Andy Burnham, who is widely tipped to replace Keir Starmer following his resignation, has issued a statement thanking the outgoing leader for his “leadership and dedication” to the country. The former Manchester mayor and newly elected Makerfield MP said the UK Labour movement needs to look “forward with confidence and purpose” and insisted the “transition” needs to be a “positive process of renewal”.

“Keir has given huge service to our country and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication during such a challenging period,” he said.

“His decision marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way. I will put myself forward as part of this process.

“The country expects stability, seriousness and a continued focus on the issues that matter most and that is what it will get.

“As we move forward, our priority must be to work together to get the country back to where we all want it to be. “People want to see progress on economic growth, cost of living, public services, housing and opportunities for the next generation. Political change should never distract from the responsibility to improve people’s lives.”

Post-Brexit Britain will have its seventh prime minister in the ten years since the country voted to leave the European Union, after Keir Starmer has bowed to the inevitable, resigning as leader of the Labour Party on Monday.

Despite having delivered his party government in a massive landslide just two years ago, Britain’s central challenges of low economic growth, higher welfare spending, low-wage economy, the small boats migrant crisis in the English Channel and mounting defence costs, combined with Sir Keir’s dour and robotic style, caused the Government’s standing to crash in the opinion polls.

In a lacklustre and at times emotional resignation speech, Sir Keir said that walking into Downing Street two years ago had been the proudest moment of his life but said his party was now asking itself who was the best leader to lead the party.

“I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace. Every decision I’ve taken has been about putting the country I love first,” he said.

“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 the 9th of July. And completed by the summer recess.”

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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has reacted to Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation as UK Prime Minister.

“I consider Keir Starmer a friend and I’m thinking of him on what must be a very tough day,” he said.

“Serving in public life is a tremendous privilege but politics can also be a harsh business.

:When the time comes for Keir to leave Downing Street, he can be proud of the contribution he has made to the country he loves and to the Labour Party that he led back to Government in 2024.

“I’m grateful for the opportunities we had to work together to strengthen our AUKUS defence and security partnership, support the brave people of Ukraine and keep children safe from the damage that social media can do.

“I wish Keir, Victoria and their children well with everything the future holds.”

Keir Starmer has resigned as leader of the UK Labour Party.

He is telling journalists that he has addressed the king and will remain as UK PM until the leadership contest is complete.

“I will also give my successor my full and unequivocal support.”

“A new Labour Government ... a page on this country turned after years of despair,” he tells the crowd.

“The journey to that point has not been easy.

“Six years ago I inherited a Labour party that was spiritually and morally bankrupt.”

He says since then they ripped out the poison of anti-Semitism, worked on security and “changed Britain for the better”.

It comes as likely successor Andy Burnham is preparing to farewell staffers in his Mayoral office at Greater Manchester.

A second bird has been confirmed as having the deadly H5 virus that has sparked fears that WA’s wildlife and poultry industry could be decimated.

WA’s chief veterinary officer Michelle Rodan also confirmed that 58 reports of dead or sick birds were made over the weekend between Esperance and Perth.

“There were 42 calls (on Sunday) to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline from multiple locations throughout the State,” Dr Rodan said.

“These reports of dead or unwell birds have been triaged by DPIRD based on risk of H5 bird flu. Importantly, there have been no reports of large-scale mortalities.

“Nine samples were collected for testing, including one report of dead seabirds in the Esperance area.

“On the previous day (Sat 20 June), there were 16 calls to the hotline.”

Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said on Monday that there was no evidence of mass deaths in wildlife, with the Australian poultry and agricultural systems remaining free from bird flu.

“We are working to determine whether the H5 bird flu has established in the wildlife or Australia, other than these two isolated birds,” she said.

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Anthony Albanese’s tax backflip was as predictable as Pauline Hanson’s rise in popularity to become the nation’s preferred PM.

Albanese has always been a jellyback on real reform, earning himself the acronym — AACO — Albanese Always Chickens Out.

It’s no wonder that fed up Australians, when faced with a choice between the deception of Albanese and the weakness of Angus Taylor, instead chose the strength of Hanson.

Also predictable is that the relationship between Albanese and Treasurer Jim Chalmers is totally salvageable after this Budget.

Albo had already constantly briefed against Chalmers and publicly chopped him off at the knees.

Snubbing your economic captain from regular Sunday strategy sessions at the Lodge for the sycophantic company of Penny Wong and Katy Gallagher was just one of many slights from the PM to his Treasurer.

Albanese has backflipped, making Chalmers an accomplice to his failure.

Read Cameron Milner’s full opinion piece.