Starmer's home village split over resignation

People living in the village Keir Starmer grew up in have said they are "not surprised" his time as leader is coming to a close - but views remain split on whether the resignation is a positive or negative move.

The outgoing prime minister has said Hurst Green, near Oxted in Surrey, was "the forming of me", but for villagers the jury is still out on the former head of the Crown Prosecution Service.

While some in the rural village say they are "ready for change", others fear a change in leadership is "making a right mess of it".

And with the prospect of a new leader on the horizon, residents are also torn on what the UK needs next.

In 2024, BBC Radio Surrey spoke to people in the village and heard concerns about antisocial behaviour, potholes and affordable housing.

Following Starmer's resignation, local resident Josh Cracknell said: "With the direction the country's going, it's hard to see how it could have been any better.

"I think there will be a lot of happy people. The consensus is people will be very happy about it."

The views of some in the leafy village, close to the Kent border, are that change is always going to be difficult.

"Even an angel sent from heaven would have found [ruling the country] difficult to deal with," Mike Ukov said.

"I think there's problems with money and the public funds. It's not easy."

Another local resident, Ralph Spence, said he thought politicians were "making a right mess of it at the moment" over the decision for Starmer to step down.

Starmer's announcement came after political pressure increased over the weekend, following Andy Burnham's election as MP for Makerfield on Friday.

Spence, who worked at the Houses of Parliament before retiring, said: "Starmer has done quite good work for the country. I think it's for no reason at all."

Hurst Green resident, David Bines, said: "I'm quite pleased by the decision, but I think he is a very honest person.

"I'm not sure if anyone else could do any better at this moment in time."

With Starmer's departure now imminent, thoughts are turning to who will replace him.

Andy Burnham is the name on many people's lips, but for some in Hurst Green, scepticism remains.

"I don't think he's got the right sort of ability to be PM," Spence argued.

For Cracknell, that scepticism extends as much to Burnham as it does to the Labour Party in general.

He said: "It's hard to see with Labour if it would get any better. I think people are ready for real change.

"It would need to be another party to come in and make some real change."

And what of the prospect of a general election?

Jean Bines said: "I think the country has had enough now for a bit."

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