The Labour organisation Progress has paid tribute to former Prime Minister Keir Starmer following his resignation, praising his role in rebuilding the Labour Party and returning it to government after 14 years in opposition.
In a statement released after Starmer announced he would step down, Progress described his leadership as a transformative period for the Labour movement, arguing that his achievements should not be overshadowed by the circumstances surrounding his departure.
The organisation said Starmer had inherited a party facing a profound political and electoral crisis following Labour's worst general election defeat in generations and succeeded in restoring it as a credible party of government.
“Keir Starmer gave the Labour movement something it had missed for fourteen years: a Labour government.”
Progress
Progress argued that Starmer's leadership involved the "patient, often thankless work" of rebuilding trust with voters and positioning Labour to win a landslide election victory.
The organisation also highlighted a number of achievements during his time in government, including economic stability, wage growth, strengthened workers' rights, increased defence spending and measures aimed at reducing child poverty.
The statement further praised Starmer's approach to international affairs, describing his handling of the recent Iran crisis as demonstrating "principle and courage on the world stage."
While acknowledging the political challenges and turbulence that had characterised recent months, Progress argued that history would ultimately judge Starmer's premiership more favourably than many contemporary commentators.
“In years to come history will look more kindly on Keir Starmer than many do today.”
Progress
The organisation also commended Starmer's decision to resign, describing it as an act of leadership and public service.
“Leadership is not only about winning. It is also about knowing when to step aside with grace, for the good of the party and the country you serve.”
Progress
The intervention comes as Labour begins the process of selecting a new leader following Starmer's departure from Downing Street. The resignation has prompted widespread debate across the Labour movement about the party's future direction, strategy and priorities ahead of the next general election.
Alongside its tribute to the outgoing Prime Minister, Progress used its weekly newsletter to encourage Labour members and activists to engage in discussions about the future of the party, ahead of its upcoming Political Weekend event in Birmingham in July.
The organisation said the Labour movement now faces important questions about communication, policy, organisation and how to respond to voters who are demanding greater change from government.
Progress is one of Labour's best-known centre-left political organisations and has played an influential role in debates about the party's direction, policy development and electoral strategy for more than two decades.
As the leadership contest gets under way, tributes from across the Labour movement continue to reflect on Starmer's legacy, while attention increasingly turns to the question of who will lead the party and the country next.
