Falkirk and Grangemouth Labour MPs react to PM Keir Starmer resignation

While Falkirk’s Euan Stainbank praised the Labour leader and PM, who this morning on the steps of 10 Downing Street that he would resign from both roles, Grangemouth’s Brian Leishman said the decision was right for the party and the country.

Calling for the rebuilding public trust and delivering for Falkirk, Mr Stainbank said: "Over the past two years, we have seen the Labour Government make real progress for our country.

“We have seen a generational strengthening of workers’ rights, immigration brought back under control, the asylum backlog falling rapidly, the economy stabilised and half a million children lifted out of poverty.

“Funding has been directed towards areas that had been left behind by previous governments, including Falkirk High Street, the Braes villages and Hallglen. Taxes on energy bills have been slashed, and the growth- and public service-killing austerity imposed by our predecessors has been brought to an end.

“Those are important achievements, and Keir deserves personal recognition for leading Labour to an election victory and for his decision earlier this year to keep us out of Donald Trump’s offensive war against Iran."

However, he said that the public had stopped listening to Mr Starmer and had therefore stopped believing in the progress being made.

He added: “The loss of trust in the Prime Minister that I heard from my constituents could not be ignored.

“We have seen the Grangemouth refinery close without an alternative ready to take its place. Mistakes on winter fuel, welfare and WASPI have made the people who put us in the privileged position of government feel as though we had turned our backs on them.

“In response, many of them turned their backs on us in the 2026 Scottish election. The failure to provide my constituents with consistent evidence of the moral purpose of his Government is the primary reason why I believe the Prime Minister has made the right decision to step aside and allow another leader to take us forward.

“The country now needs certainty and a leader who is prepared to pursue radical solutions to the significant structural challenges the UK continues to face. I believe we are approaching those challenges from a stronger position because of what the Government has collectively achieved over the past two years.

“While I believe that Andy Burnham is by far the best candidate to replace the Prime Minister, my priorities will continue to be those of the people of Falkirk.

“We need to see the reindustrialisation of Grangemouth accelerated, supported by a credible long-term plan that brings new investment, skilled jobs and economic security to the area.

“We need a better deal for Scotland’s bus-manufacturing industry, which was placed at existential risk last year, so that public investment in new buses supports British workers and British manufacturing.

“And we need to build on the progress made in reducing small-boat crossings and tackling the asylum backlog to secure the closure of the Cladhan Hotel, which the Conservatives began using as asylum accommodation in 2021.

“I will continue to work with whoever leads the Government to ensure that Falkirk’s voice is heard and that our area receives the investment, opportunities and attention it deserves.”

Brian Leishman, Labour MP for Alloa and Grangemouth, said: “I welcome the news that Keir Starmer is going to do the right thing, not just for the Labour Party, but more importantly, for the country.

“When people elected Labour in 2024 with a landslide majority, it was on the basis of making a change. A change from 14 years of horrendous Conservative austerity and the vision for a better, fairer country.

“Keir Starmer has not delivered nearly enough of the change required in his first two years, so it is right that he stands aside.

“What we need is for the next Prime Minister, whoever that may be, to govern with what I would consider to be real Labour Party values.

“That is redistributing wealth and power and, crucially, opportunity for the millions of people who have been the victims of that Conservative austerity.

“It is now time to govern by real Labour values, that is what I am looking for."