‘He never pulled it off’: YEP readers deliver their verdict on Sir Keir Starmer’s legacy
Sir Keir Starmer quits as MP - Yorkshire Evening Post readers have their say on his legacy
Sir Keir Starmer’s political career has come full circle.
Just two years after leading Labour to a historic general election victory, the former Prime Minister is now preparing to leave the House of Commons altogether.
Sir Keir said he felt it was the “right time” to step down as an MP and focus on new work on international affairs.
He was replaced by Andy Burnham as Prime Minister and Labour leader in July after losing the support of his party in the wake of a string of mis-steps, policy U-turns and dire local election results.
Mr Burnham, whose party now faces a by-election challenge, paid tribute to his predecessor for creating “a platform to change this country for the better”.
He said Sir Keir has “given this country a lifetime of public service, particularly for those fighting for justice”, Mr Burnham said, paying tribute to his work on a Hillsborough Law, and supporting Ukraine.
Sir Keir – who previously said he would serve out the rest of his term – will step down as the MP for Holborn and St Pancras, a move that will trigger a contest in the north London seat.
We asked Yorkshire Evening Post readers what would the country remember Keir Starmer for?
Mark Roper said: “He brought respectability back to the Labour Party, briefly, and made them electable again.
“It will take a Labour government two terms to repair the damage caused by the Con-Dems and then the Tories - if they manage that, that will be his legacy.”
Tim White said: “He took all the pain for the transition period from the incompetence of the previous government to sound governance of the new government… he’s shielded Burnham from such criticism.”
Meanwhile John Woollin said: “Great timing this announcement as Burnham addresses parliament for the first time.
“Every chance he's set Labour up to lose an unnecessary by election.
“A last u-turn as he said he would carry on as MP until the next election.”
Nigel Bywater said: “Average growth of earnings are higher than inflation, low interest rates, pensions increasing more than inflation, NHS waiting lists going down, doctors and nurses awarded higher wages and are no longer on strike.”
Kev Stillyards added: “His legacy was winning an election with 441 seats, and a 172 majority.
“Unfortunately expectations were high after 14 years but he never pulled it off.
“Never mind at least he had a good career in law before he was mad enough to get involved in British politics. “
Meanwhile Jon Bradburn was less sympathetic and said: “Took a country in the gutter and somehow managed to wreck it even further, that's an achievement I guess.”