Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, has reacted to the resignation of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, describing his time in office as unsuccessful and blaming Labour’s policies for the country’s current difficulties.
In a statement posted on her official X account shortly after Starmer announced his resignation on Monday, Badenoch criticised several decisions taken under his administration, including tax increases, welfare policies, defence spending, energy strategy, and key political appointments.
“Hiking national insurance. The Family Farm Tax. Giving up on real welfare reform. Not funding our defence and not drilling our own oil and gas. Appointing Peter Mandelson, then lying about what had happened,” she wrote.
Badenoch argued that Britain’s problems go beyond Starmer’s leadership and stem from what she described as Labour’s political values and policy direction.
“Britain is not ungovernable. Keir Starmer is a terrible Prime Minister. But the problem isn’t just Starmer,” she said.
According to her, Labour lawmakers favour higher taxes and increased welfare spending at the expense of economic growth.
“Labour MPs only want higher taxes to hand out more benefits, as the Welfare Secretary has pointed out. These are Labour’s choices and their values, regardless of who is running the party,” Badenoch added.
Calling for a political shift, she maintained that the Conservative Party remains the best option for restoring economic productivity and growth.
“We need to get Britain working again. We need the Conservatives,” she stated.
Politics Nigeria earlier reported that Starmer announced his resignation less than two years after taking office, ending a premiership marked by policy reversals and growing political pressure.