DEVON’S politicians have reacted to the decision by prime minister Keir Starmer to stand down.

While most appreciated the pressure had risen to such an extent that Sir Keir’s position became increasingly untenable, they also understood that the UK is now set to appoint its seventh prime minister in a decade.

More glowing praise came from Labour heartlands, such as Plymouth, where the city council leader, Tudor Evans, credited Sir Keir with “saving the Labour party”.

Opposition politicians hoped for a smooth transition and a clearer legislative agenda from whoever takes the top job next – widely anticipated to be Andy Burnham, the now former Manchester mayor who just became an MP after winning the Makerfield by-election.

Sir Keir addressed the media outside 10 Downing Street this morning to announce his decision to step down from the top job, with visible emotion as he thanked his wife Victoria for her support, and praised his children who he called his “pride and joy”.

Devon’s farming community, which was hit by changes to inheritance tax by Sir Keir, might be hoping for changes in that policy, however, the county was a beneficiary of the nation-wide policy to help write off special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) overspends, as well as health-related investments linked to community diagnostics centres in Plymouth and North Devon.

Exeter’s Labour MP, Steve Race, said his first reaction was one of “real sadness”.

“I think I saw a man of real integrity and dignity doing what he thinks is right for the country and the government by standing aside in a way that allows for a smooth and effective transition to a new prime minister,” he said.

“Keir Starmer leaves behind an absolutely incredible record of delivery over two years, with NHS waiting lists down, the number of small boats down, to real investment across all of our public services and I think he will be remembered far more kindly in the future than he is thought of today.

“But it is clear he had lost the confidence of the people in recent local and national elections (in Scotland and Wales), and many in the parliamentary party and cabinet, so it had become inevitable. But he has taken the decision in the right way to ensure a stable transition to the next prime minister.”

Conservative MP David Reed, who was elected in 2024 when Labour came to power, acknowledged that yet another change in prime minister was “not good for the country”.

“Ultimately I got into politics as I wanted to see a stronger country and this is not good,” he said.

“As a relatively new politician, though, the clearest sign I have is that you have to use your time in opposition wisely, you can’t squander it and just shoot down everything the government comes up with.

“You have to look at what policies are being proposed, and if you disagree with them, then oppose them, but you need to consider what you would do and Labour didn’t do that in opposition.”

Mr Reed said he did not think anything would change immediately with the swearing in of a new PM, and that whoever takes the top job, they will face a “challenge” if they hadn’t considered what their key policies and agenda are beforehand.

The Exmouth and Exeter East MP added that he felt defence – and particularly the funding of it – was a key issue that needed to be addressed by Downing Street, as was the “assault” on the rural way of life and increased costs upon businesses, notably the elevated National Insurance contributions firms now have to make.

Rachel Gilmour MP, the Liberal Democrat member for Tiverton and Minehead, said she had sent Sir Keir a personal note.

“I’m not filled with overwhelming joy as from a personal point of view, this is a sad moment for Keir Starmer and his family,” she said.

“From the country’s perspective, irrespective of politics, I hope everyone will agree that what we need to do now is carry on calmly, and aim for a smooth transition so we can put these choppy waters behind us and look forward to a better and more positive future for the country.”

Plymouth City Council’s Cllr Evans thanked Sir Keir Starmer for “saving the Labour party” as the city reacted to the news of the resignation.

Labour won an historic landslide general election victory, with Sir Keir at the helm, in July 2024 – it was the first time in 14 years that the party had been in power.

Addressing the nation just after 9.30am this morning he said six years ago he inherited a Labour party that was “politically, financially and morally bankrupt” and that the party should be proud of what it had achieved in the two years since winning the election.

But questions had been raised by Labour members whether he was the right person to lead the party into the next election after a number of U-turns and recent heavy losses in local elections.

In a statement Cllr Evans said: “I would like to thank Sir Keir Starmer for his support for Plymouth and all he did to ensure we secured a Labour government in the general election in 2024.

“We have seen a huge investment in Plymouth under his leadership, which will benefit our city for years to come.

“I wish him and his family nothing but the best for the future. He saved the Labour party for which I will be forever grateful.”

Plymouth has secured more than £150 million in various grants from the government since 2024 with city regeneration, health and defence the main benefactors. The Devonport dockyard has also been promised at least £4.4 billion in work over the coming decade.

Commenting on Sir Keir’s resignation MP for Plymouth Moor View Fred Thomas said he had great respect for the role Sir Keir had played in leading Labour back into government, but he had “taken the right decision today”.

There was little movement in the UK stockmarket or the country’s bond markets, suggesting that Sir Keir’s resignation was widely expected by investors.