The resignation of Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister has prompted a strong response from two of the north of Scotland’s SNP representatives, who say another change at Westminster will do little to address the issues facing communities across the Highlands, Moray, Nairn and Strathspey.
Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey MP Graham Leadbitter and Moray MSP Laura Mitchell both criticised Labour’s record in government, arguing that voters who backed the party in the hope of change had been left disappointed.
The resignation marks the end of Sir Keir’s time in Downing Street and opens the door to a leadership contest that is expected to dominate political debate in the weeks ahead.
For many people across the north of Scotland, however, the focus remains firmly on the cost of living, energy prices, jobs, investment and public services rather than the battle to replace the Prime Minister.
Responding to the resignation, Mr Leadbitter said:
“It’s damning that the single best thing Starmer ever did for Scotland was resign.
“Voters across Scotland trusted his party to deliver on their promises of change, but what they delivered was far from it, and arguably worse.
“He led a government committed to continuing the worst of Tory austerity policies, which drove up the cost of living even more for local people, and presided over attempts to kill of Scotland’s oil and gas industry.
“Across Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey people and businesses are still paying for lack of action on energy prices; failure to back major job opportunities for sets like Ardersier and the undermining of our whisky and hospitality sectors with a taxation system that is making things tougher and stifling growth.
“I’m glad that he’s resigned, but the next chapter of the Westminster soap opera will only serve as a distraction from the issues that people here face.
“Once again instead of action on the cost of living, support for local businesses, and the delivery of much-needed investment, we’ll be forced to watch Westminster melodrama play out in the form of what could be an ugly leadership contest.
“Scotland needs a fresh start and a permanent escape from Westminster chaos with independence.”
Moray MSP Laura Mitchell said many people would view the resignation as further evidence that Westminster politics remains disconnected from the priorities of ordinary voters.
Ms Mitchell said:
“I doubt many tears will be shed in Moray at Keir Starmer’s resignation as Prime Minister this morning.
“He’s led a party that was elected on a promise of change, yet people across the country feel the Labour Government has failed to improve their lives in any meaningful way.
“Over the last 10 years we’ve had chaos with the Tories and that chaos continues with Labour.
“The name on the door of number 10 will change this summer, but it will make little difference for people in Scotland.
“In stark contrast, the SNP Government under John Swinney’s leadership is focused on delivering for people in Scotland’s priorities, including support with the cost of living and driving down NHS waiting times.”
The comments come as Westminster prepares for another leadership contest following a decade that has seen a succession of Prime Ministers come and go while major political and economic challenges continue to dominate public debate.
While attention now turns to who will become the next occupant of Number 10, both politicians argued that the issues facing communities across the north of Scotland will remain unchanged unless there is a more fundamental shift in political direction.
For households and businesses across the Highlands, Moray, Nairn and Strathspey, concerns about living costs, investment, employment and economic growth are likely to remain far more immediate than the latest Westminster leadership battle.
