The Conversation (0)
Greg Evans
Apr 04, 2020
Keir Starmer has been elected as leader of the Labour Party, winning a landslide election to replace Jeremy Corbyn and beat Rebecca Long-Bailey and Lisa Nandy to claim the position.
Angela Rayner was also elected as the party's deputy leader as Labour ushers in a new wave of politics after losing four general elections in the last ten years.
In his acceptance speech which was released on Twitter shortly after the result was confirmed saying that it was an "honour and a privilege" and he hopes to lead the party in "a new era, with confidence and hope" while also apologising for the anti-Semitism allegations that have dogged the party for the past few years.
It’s the honour and privilege of my life to be elected as Leader of the Labour Party. I will lead this great part… https://t.co/8lOF1jlPUo— Keir Starmer (@Keir Starmer) 1585994025
This news comes in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic and has been widely discussed on Twitter and many politicians, mostly from Labour but other parties too, have been quick to congratulate Starmer on his victory.
Congratulations to @Keir_Starmer and @AngelaRayner on being elected in the leadership contests. I look forward to… https://t.co/vtVSgwYJzx— Diane Abbott MP (@Diane Abbott MP) 1585995632
No celebrations today. Only relief that the disastrous Corbyn era is over and hope that we can turn the page on wh… https://t.co/kyaALKJ3bz— Pat McFadden (@Pat McFadden) 1585995743
Please watch. A powerful speech from @Keir_Starmer - a message of compassion & determination to the country in toug… https://t.co/Mws4AqMx1U— Yvette Cooper (@Yvette Cooper) 1585996033
I am absolutely joyous, excited and ecstatic about this result. The election of Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner is f… https://t.co/7O2XmH3t5u— David Lammy (@David Lammy) 1585996456
Congratulations @Keir_Starmer looking forward to getting the Labour party back to power, and bravo @AngelaRayner. A… https://t.co/8CnzslsPf4— Jess Phillips MP (@Jess Phillips MP) 1585995335
Congratulations to new Labour leader @Keir_Starmer - look forward to working together to hold Government to accoun… https://t.co/Ps3AwmcNyP— Caroline Lucas (@Caroline Lucas) 1585993996
At last we have a Leader of the Opposition who is a gown up we can respect even if we don’t agree with him.… https://t.co/RkJFYvWPMb— Anna Soubry (@Anna Soubry) 1585994280
BREAKING Congrats @Keir_Starmer We all now have an opportunity to move forward & away frm divisive politics of r… https://t.co/TDDdE411vq— Ed Davey MP 🔶 🇬🇧 🇪🇺 (@Ed Davey MP 🔶 🇬🇧 🇪🇺) 1585996876
Congratulations to @Keir_Starmer and @AngelaRayner on their election as leader and deputy leader of @UKLabour. What… https://t.co/7316KvUzu5— ChukaUmunna (@ChukaUmunna) 1585997020
There were a few congratulations from celebrities too.
Congratulations @Keir_Starmer delighted, relieved and hopeful that my hopes and concerns may find a home.— Deborah Meaden 💙 (@Deborah Meaden 💙) 1585995448
Congratulations to Sir Keir Starmer - I await to see what line of ad hominem attacks the right wing press make against you.— Brian Moore (@Brian Moore) 1585995568
Well-chosen words. https://t.co/Xz27LgyIsA— Gary Lineker 💙 (@Gary Lineker 💙) 1585997680
Congrats to @Keir_Starmer & @AngelaRayner on becoming Leader & Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. Such a relief to… https://t.co/un1o6TTSTL— Piers Morgan (@Piers Morgan) 1585995973
The top priority for the new Labour leader is to make tangible improvements to the lives of the people who most nee… https://t.co/Z1iHH3JQGV— James Oh Brien (@James Oh Brien) 1585994768
Others wished him well, while some hoped that Labour could stick to the policies that have attracted so many members to the party since 2016.
Maybe it’s because Starmer/Rayner not exactly a surprise result but almost more curious for the shadow cabinet pick… https://t.co/P9208RwTBP— gabyhinsliff (@gabyhinsliff) 1585995057
Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party now, a licky boom boom down.— Adam Hills (@Adam Hills) 1585996892
This Labour Party election result is so uninspiring— CEO of Yelling (@CEO of Yelling) 1585995097
Concise thoughts on Keir Starmer: he’s still Labour, they’re still the fucking Tories, and I’ll be out doorknocking… https://t.co/iyfQQo12qh— Will Magee (@Will Magee) 1585996004
This is a mature, well-constructed acceptance speech by Keir Starmer. It adds to my growing confidence that he is… https://t.co/LgbV85aWwV— Dr Mike Galsworthy (@Dr Mike Galsworthy) 1585998457
lots of opinions pinging about today. i truly cannot be arsed with replicating the wrecking shenanigans of the last… https://t.co/0GWdmNgFw8— Stan Account (@Stan Account) 1585999068
Labour has just elected as leader a knighted lawyer from north London who was the driving force behind the party’s… https://t.co/hdAlKyTq1X— Paul Embery (@Paul Embery) 1585995691
Starmer takes over the party just months after receiving the worst election result in the party's history, which handed the Conservatives an overwhelming majority.