Badenoch Attacks Starmer After Resignation, Says UK Needs Conservatives

The leader of the UK Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch, has criticised outgoing Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, describing his leadership as a failure and accusing the Labour Party of worsening Britain’s economic and political challenges.

Badenoch made the remarks on Monday shortly after Starmer announced that he would step down as Prime Minister following months of pressure within the Labour Party.

Naija News reports that in a statement posted on her official 𝕏 account, the Conservative leader faulted key decisions taken by Starmer’s administration, including policies on taxation, welfare, defence and energy.

Badenoch accused Starmer of making choices that had weakened the country and placed additional pressure on citizens and businesses.

“Hiking national insurance. The Family Farm Tax. Giving up on real welfare reform. Not funding our defence. Not drilling our own oil and gas. Appointing Peter Mandelson, then lying about what had happened,” she wrote.

She argued that Britain’s problems were not caused by Starmer alone but by Labour’s broader political ideology.

“Britain is not ungovernable. Keir Starmer is a terrible Prime Minister. But the problem isn’t just Starmer,” Badenoch said.

The Conservative leader also accused Labour MPs of favouring higher taxes and increased welfare spending instead of policies that would grow the economy.

“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,” she added.

Badenoch said Britain needed a new direction, insisting that the Conservatives remained the party capable of restoring productivity and reviving the economy.

“We need to get Britain working again. We need the Conservatives,” she stated.

Starmer announced his resignation on Monday, less than two years after leading Labour back to power.

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street, he said the party needed fresh leadership ahead of the next general election.

He confirmed that the process of electing a new Labour leader would begin in July, adding that he would remain in office until his successor is chosen.

The transition is expected to be completed by September.

Starmer also said he planned to spend more time with his family after leaving office.

He thanked his wife, Vic, for her support throughout his tenure and acknowledged that pressure within Labour contributed to his decision to step aside.

His resignation has intensified the race to lead the governing party, with Andy Burnham among the leading figures expected to contest for the position.

Starmer’s departure marks a major turning point in British politics and sets the stage for a fresh battle over the country’s leadership ahead of the next electoral cycle.