Jo Platt MP: my response to a change in national leadership and the future of the Labour Party

Following the Prime Minister's resignation, it is only right to acknowledge his service to the country and the leadership he has provided during a period of significant political and economic challenge, and to consider carefully the direction in which the party must now move.

I agree that his decision to resign was the right one, taken with dignity, integrity, and humility.

His decision reflects a clear sense of duty alongside an understanding of the need for a renewal in leadership. 

Keir Starmer's leadership secured the first Labour government in 14 years, with a decisive landslide victory at the General Election in 2024.

His tenure will be remembered for the significant progress achieved: stronger protections for renters, action to tackle child poverty, reductions in NHS waiting lists, improvements to employment rights, and a confident presence on the international stage.

Together, these achievements have helped lay the foundations for a fairer and more prosperous Britain.

As Labour MPs, we have a responsibility not only to acknowledge that service, but also to be clear-eyed about what comes next.

We must recognise the scale of the challenges that remain.

Communities across the country continue to face economic pressures, public services require sustained investment, and many people still feel disconnected from political decision-making, unconvinced that Westminster understands the realities of their daily lives. 

The local election results in May starkly revealed people’s call for change.

For far too many, change has not come quickly enough, and the pace of improvement has not matched the urgency of the challenges faced.

In that context, what is needed now is a stable, constructive and unifying transition to new leadership—one that rebuilds trust in our communities, understands the importance of place-based growth, and is committed to championing regional renewal and investment.

I believe Andy Burnham is the right person to lead the party forwards. 

He has shown that he can deliver for communities like ours.

I support Andy’s vision of restoring hope, bridging divides, and creating a politics that brings people together around a shared sense of national purpose.

His decisive victory in the recent Makerfield by-election, demonstrates his ability to reconnect Labour with communities across its traditional heartlands. 

He’s shown what Labour can do when we lead on our values of unity, hope, fairness and public service.

As Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy has been a leading champion of devolution, improving transport connectivity, advocating for greater local powers, and securing investment that has helped drive growth across the region. 

As also the former MP for Leigh, he understands the challenges faced by communities that have too often been overlooked by successive governments; the concerns we hear on the doorstep must be heard in Westminster.

As we move forward, we must remain focused on the values that brought us into government: fairness, opportunity, security and service. Leadership matters, but so too does maintaining focus on the people and communities we were elected to represent.

I will continue working tirelessly to represent the people of Leigh and Atherton, ensuring their voices are heard in Westminster, their concerns addressed, meaningful change is delivered and their priorities kept at the heart of the political agenda.

Whatever changes may come in the months ahead, that commitment will remain my central focus.