ANGELA Rayner says the Labour Party must ‘redouble our efforts’ after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced his resignation.
Now former Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, is widely expected to be the next person in number 10 Downing Street, possibly as soon July 16.
And Sir Keir’s former deputy Ms Rayner, whose Ashton-under-Lyne constituency also takes in Droylsden, Audenshaw and much of Dukinfield, believes whoever takes over must help change the country.
She said: “I was proud to serve as Deputy as he led our party into government.
“History will remember not just the challenges he faced but the achievements he oversaw.
“I pay tribute to his record of dedicated public service.
“His premiership saw us legislate new rights for working people, renters and leaseholders, invest in a generational boost to social housing, devolve powers to communities, the creation of Great British Energy and Great British Railways, action to tackle child poverty and so much more.
“This is a record of which any Labour government could be proud.
“Labour was elected to change Britain, and as a new chapter begins, we must now redouble our efforts to deliver for working people.”
Speaking at Downing Street on Monday, June 22, Sir Keir admitted what his own MPs told him played a part in his call.
He said: “The question being asked now is not who was best placed to change the Labour party, to take us into power and to begin the vital work of improving lives for millions of people. Those questions have been answered.
“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 will ask Labour’s National Executive Committee that nominations for the party’s new leader open on July 9.
He said this will be completed “by the summer recess”, which is a week later.
If there is a contest, it will be completed by September 1, but if Mr Burnham – who will stand – is unchallenged, he could become Labour leader after nominations close.
Until this is decided, Starmer will remain as prime minister.
Mr Burnham, whose replacement as Mayor of Greater Manchester after he won the Makerfield by-election will be decided on July 30, declared his intention.
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.
“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.”
Mr Burnham also has the backing of Wes Streeting, who was widely tipped to stand for the leadership.
He said: “Keir Starmer led us to a general election victory that no one thought possible. He has made the right decision to stand down as the leader of the Labour Party that he saved.
“After a devastating set of election results in May, the Makerfield by-election has proven that Labour can still win if we have the courage to change. It was a victory for unity and hope over division and hatred.
“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.
“I left the government because we were losing the fight to nationalists in every corner of the country. I have spent the weeks since speaking to our former councillors, activists and voters in place we lost – to listen and learn from them.
“We were elected change our country, to show that politics can be a force for good, and to spread opportunity for everyone. With Andy, we still can.”