Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield has announced her resignation from the Labour Party, citing her dissatisfaction with party leader Sir Keir Starmer in her resignation letter.
Duffield, who has been the MP for Canterbury since 2017, has been a vocal critic of Starmer’s leadership in recent months. In her resignation letter, she accused Starmer of failing to connect with voters and of neglecting the party’s traditional values.
Duffield’s decision to quit the Labour Party comes as a blow to Starmer, who has been struggling to unite the party since taking over as leader in 2020. Duffield’s departure is likely to reignite tensions within the party and raise questions about its future direction.
In her resignation letter, Duffield expressed her frustration with Starmer’s leadership, saying that he had failed to provide a clear vision for the party and had alienated traditional Labour voters. She also criticized Starmer for his handling of key issues such as Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Duffield’s decision to quit the Labour Party comes at a time when the party is facing mounting criticism over its performance in recent elections. Many Labour members and supporters have called for a change in leadership, arguing that Starmer’s centrist approach is out of touch with the party’s grassroots.
In response to Duffield’s resignation, a spokesperson for Sir Keir Starmer said that the Labour leader regretted her decision but respected her right to make it. The spokesperson also reiterated Starmer’s commitment to rebuilding the party and reaching out to voters across the country.
Duffield’s resignation is likely to reignite debate within the Labour Party about its future direction and leadership. With local elections looming and a general election expected within the next few years, the party will need to address the concerns raised by Duffield and other critics if it hopes to regain the trust of voters and win back power.