Where to now for Labour?
This morning, I watched live the resignation statement made by Keir Starmer outside 10 Downing Street.
The threat to Labour and to the country is existential. For a year now, every political poll has had Reform UK in the lead. The local elections in May were an overwhelming demonstration of this. Sad though it is, Keir Starmer had to go.
We are fortunate that we have an an alternative in Andy Burnham who is not just credible but compelling. No other politician could have beaten Reform in the by-election. He is an excellent communicator and campaigner with far more experience of government than Starmer or Blair when they first entered No 10.
If he chooses a good team and carries out a sensible review of policy, he will return Labour to a lead in the polls and a second term of office. We have to wish him well and give him our enthusiastic support.