Sadiq Khan paid heartfelt tribute to his 'friend' Keir Starmer, calling him 'a man of great integrity' as he urged the Prime Minister's successor to 'invest in every part of the country' – including London.
Khan's tribute to Starmer
Sir Sadiq said: 'Keir Starmer has been a friend and colleague for over three decades, ever since our time as young lawyers. He is a man of great integrity who has devoted much of his career to public service.'
'Keir Starmer has made a huge contribution to the Labour party and our country, and I want to thank him. He is only the fifth Labour leader to have won a general election, which has allowed him to deliver real progress.'
Plea to next Labour leader
He added: 'We still have more than half of this parliamentary term left, with a huge mandate. The local election results showed that people are impatient for the change that was promised and a Labour government that holds firm to the progressive values our party was established to promote. This should be the focus of the next prime minister.'
'It's also crucial that the new Labour leader invests in every part of the country. This includes London, which is central to delivering for the rest of the country. We must use the potential of our capital to boost the national economy and raise living standards – for the benefit of Londoners and people right across the country.'
Starmer's resignation and response
The King spoke to Sir Keir Starmer by phone earlier this morning while at his Gloucestershire residence, Highgrove, Buckingham Palace said.
Announcing his resignation, Sir Keir Starmer said: 'The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election. I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.'
'Every decision I have taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party.'
Sir Keir Starmer has asked Labour's governing body to set out a timetable to replace him, beginning on July 9, and ending by the summer recess to 'ensure a new leader is in place before Parliament returns in September'.
