“We must prove that politics can be a force for good. I believe it can. I believe it is. We go forward from here. We go with confidence as we continue changing the country,” said Starmer while addressing staff at 10 Downing Street
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday made clear he has no intention of resigning, vowing to continue in office as his government grapples with mounting political pressure.
Addressing staff at 10 Downing Street, Starmer said they were united by a “driving purpose” rooted in “public duty”, signalling resolve to push on despite recent controversies.
“We must prove that politics can be a force for good. I believe it can. I believe it is. We go forward from here. We go with confidence as we continue changing the country,” Reuters quoted Starmer as saying.
Referring to revelations surrounding Peter Mandelson, Starmer said, “The thing that makes me most angry is the undermining of the belief that politics can be a force for good and can change lives.”
“I have been absolutely clear that I regret the decision that I made to appoint Peter Mandelson. And I’ve apologised to the victims which is the right thing to do,” he added.
Starmer also paid tribute to his departing chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, describing him as a close colleague and friend of eight years.
McSweeney quit on Sunday over his role in backing Mandelson over his known links to Jeffrey Epstein.
Starmer’s director of communications Tim Allan also resigned earlier on Monday to “allow a new No10 team to be built”.
“I’ve known Morgan for eight years as a colleague and as a friend. We have run up and down every political football pitch that is across the country. We’ve been in every battle that we needed to be in together. Fighting that battle,” Starmer said.
“We changed the Labour Party together. We won a general election together. And none of that would have been possible without Morgan McSweeney.”
Starmer will meet Labour lawmakers later on Monday and try to ease anger over the handling of Mandelson’s appointment and quieten those voices saying he should quit.
With inputs from agencies
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