The two opposition MPs whose constituencies cover Holderness and Hornsea have reacted to Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement that he is to resign as Labour leader and step down as Prime Minister.
Conservative MPs Charlie Dewhirst and Graham Stuart both criticised Sir Keir’s record in government, while Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called for a general election.
Sir Keir announced his departure on Monday morning in an emotional statement outside 10 Downing Street, saying he had accepted that he was no longer the person his parliamentary party wanted to lead Labour into the next general election.
He will remain as Prime Minister until his successor is chosen, with nominations for the Labour leadership opening on July 9 and the process due to be completed before Parliament returns in September.
Mr Dewhirst, the Conservative MP for Bridlington and the Wolds, said: “Sir Keir Starmer has been a terrible Prime Minister who lied to our country, then did huge damage to jobs and livelihoods across East Yorkshire and beyond, so I am pleased he has today announced his resignation.
“From his Family Farm Tax and National Insurance hikes to betraying our veterans and Armed Forces, choosing Putin’s oil and gas over our own North Sea jobs, trying to pay to give away British territory and covering up his disgraceful Peter Mandelson choices, he has shown my constituents just what ‘change’ under Labour really looks like.
“As well as causing unemployment to soar, in his short time as Prime Minister he unbelievably let more small boat migrants into the UK than under any other PM, and he has let more than 56,000 criminals out of prison early.
“Yet Labour MPs only want to know who they can tax even more to hand out higher benefits. They forced their leadership to give up on modest welfare reforms and borrow more – their national debt interest alone is as much as our defence and schools budgets combined.
“The welfare state has become chronically unaffordable and whoever is in charge will confront the same harsh national reality.”
Mr Dewhirst also criticised Andy Burnham, who returned to Parliament after winning the Makerfield by-election for Labour last week and is expected to be a leading contender in the leadership contest.
He said: “I’m pleased Starmer is going, but Andy Burnham will be worse. Burnham has already U-turned on his views on migrant benefits, rejoining the EU, women-only spaces, WASPI support and Labour manifesto promises.
“Did you know that Burnham, as Health Secretary in 2009, oversaw the first NHS hospital to be privately managed by a private healthcare operator?
“Regardless of who is running their party, Labour’s choices and values are more tax and benefits, and not being on the side of hard-working people.
“Labour’s ideas remain unfit for the circumstances we face and, until the Government is honest about trade-offs and what the country can realistically pay for, the instability will continue.
“We cannot keep raising taxes without serious economic consequences. It is time to abandon Labour’s failed policies and pursue the bold, sustained growth that only Kemi Badenoch and the Conservative Party have set out and will deliver.”
Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart said Sir Keir had failed because of his Government’s policies rather than his personality.
He said: “He won a large majority on a Labour manifesto. I disagreed with it, but I respected the mandate he was given by the British people.
“But that programme has not delivered. Labour has struggled to get welfare reform through Parliament, failed to get the economy growing properly and left families and businesses under real pressure.
“Here in Beverley and Holderness, people want to know what comes next. Will the new Prime Minister keep forcing major renewable energy projects through rural communities? Will farmers, local businesses and young people finally be backed? Will people get a proper say?
“A new Prime Minister can govern with Labour’s existing majority. That is constitutionally sound. But if Labour now wants to change direction, the public should have their say. And if Labour wants to carry on as before, voters deserve to know that too.”
In a statement, Andy Burnham – who was today sworn in as MP for Makerfield – said: “Keir has given huge service to our country and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication during such a challenging period.
“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.
“The Labour movement has always been at its strongest when it looks forward with confidence and purpose. This is what we will do from here and we will make sure this transition is a positive process of renewal for our party and our country.”
Meanwhile, Mr Farage said Reform UK was ready to fight a general election and rejected the prospect of another Labour politician taking over at Number 10 without a public vote.
He said: “I’ve had enough of waiting around. Britain needs change – real change, not another washed-up has-been shoved into place by the uniparty.
“If Labour thinks it can shove another professional politician into Number 10, it has another thing coming. Reform is ready for an election, and we are ready to deliver radical change.”
In his resignation statement, Sir Keir defended his record in government, pointing to measures he said had lifted half a million children out of poverty, secured international trade deals and rebuilt Britain’s relationships with its European allies.
He said: “The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election.
“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. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party.”
Sir Keir became visibly emotional and was in tears towards the end of the statement as he thanked his wife, Victoria, and their children.
He said: “When I leave the biggest job in the country, I shall spend more time on the most important job: being the best husband I can to my fantastic wife Vick, who has been a rock by my side through good times and bad, and being the best dad I can to my beautiful children, who are my pride and my joy.”
He then returned to Number 10 with his wife as members of staff gathered outside and applauded.
Sir Keir visited Holderness in November 2021, when he toured Centrica’s Easington Gas Terminal and heard about plans for hydrogen storage and the transition to net zero. He returned to the wider region in March 2025 for a visit to Reckitt in Hull.
The Gazette has contacted representatives of Labour and other political parties locally.