Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com, has commented on the widely reported impending resignation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer, calling it ironic that a leader would step down after his party won a mid-term by-election.
Starmer's expected resignation
Downing Street has not made a formal announcement, but political correspondents and major outlets report that Starmer spent the weekend drafting an exit speech following immense internal pressure from the Labour Party. The crisis follows a by-election in which Andy Burnham, the highly popular former Mayor of Greater Manchester, won the seat by a massive margin.
Burnham sworn in as MP
Burnham is scheduled to be officially sworn in as an MP today, putting him in a direct position to challenge Starmer for the leadership. His victory has been seen as a clear signal of discontent within the party.
Reactions on social media
Lewis wrote on X: 'There is an irony that a PM is considering whether to resign because his party won a mid-term byelection.' The post sparked a flurry of responses. One commenter said: 'Hardly - when most of the people who voted Labour (including many Tory & Lib Dem voters) did so precisely to get Starmer out.' Another added: '80% of Brits did not vote Labour just 6 weeks or so ago. Lab lost the region of Wales after what 100 yrs. Lab lost tons of Red Wall seats in its heartlands. That's serious & its the Neofascists who won. I dont want a Reform led UK in 36 mths time so Andy Burnham is our kids future.'
A third user wrote: 'We have to get the media in this country in control.. we are telling children not to believe everything it sees and then we as adults are doing the opposite and believing everything we read.. trail by media.' Another commented: 'Not really ironic. Starmer was practically the only Labour figure who didn’t go to Makerfield. Meanwhile hundreds of Labour MPs and activists were knocking doors for Burnham like they were signing Starmer’s political death warrant. Labour didn’t just win a by-election. It staged a succession.'
One suggested: 'Then why doesn’t the s**thouse call for a GE and let the people decide? I think that’s fair game considering he’s lied about everything that he originally got voted on for!'
