LABOUR supporters in Wellington, and those of other political parties, have been reacting to Monday’s (June 22) resignation of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Town Cllr Mike McGuffie, who is secretary of the local Labour branch said: “I am sure the whole Labour party in Wellington is very grateful to Keir for his leadership over the last six years.

“He has led us from losing badly in 2019 to the huge success of 2024.

“Since becoming Prime Minister, he has led a Government focused on improving the lives of ordinary people through things like better worker and renters rights, reduced NHS waiting times, and growing the economy.

“He leaves the country in a better state than he inherited, and upon which his successor will build.”

Taunton and Wellington Conservative Association chairman James Scoins said many people would view the departure of Sir Keir not as a shock, but as a relief.

Mr Scoins said a series of poor political judgements steadily eroded confidence in Sir Keir’s leadership.

He said: “Pensioners, farmers, business owners, homeowners, and working families all found themselves facing policies that many perceived as punitive.

“The message seemed clear, Government would take more, spend more, and intervene more, while expecting the productive parts of society to carry an ever greater burden.

“More troubling than the mistakes themselves, was his apparent failure to take responsibility for them.

“In politics, accountability matters.

“Starmer’s reluctance to own his errors spoke volumes.”

Mr Scoins said Sir Keir was leaving Britain in a worse position than the one he inherited as his Government had pursued legal reforms which many feared would undermine trial by jury, and his Chancellor presided over a familiar tax-and-spend agenda.

The decision to impose VAT on independent school fees placed additional pressure on families whose children attend some of Britain’s most respected schools, including Wellington School, Taunton School, Queen’s College, and King’s College, each of which was a major local employer.

Many Conservatives argued defence spending should have been prioritised, and resources devoted to ambitious net aero programmes under Ed Miliband should instead have been directed toward strengthening Britain’s military capabilities.

Mr Scoins said: “That argument resonates strongly in Taunton and Wellington, communities with deep connections to the Armed Forces.”

However, Mr Scoins said he wished Sir Keir well.

He said: “Although some may cheer his departure, let us remember political opponents are not enemies, just humans with different beliefs.”

Wellington Liberal Democrat MP Gideon Amos said: “We need a Government that will get a grip on people’s energy bills, get our NHS back on its feet, and back our small businesses.

“The country needs and deserves an end to the drama at the top of Government.”