Why I left Starmer's Labour Party

It was not a decision I made lightly. For nearly a decade, I had poured my time, energy, and belief into the Labour Party. I organised, campaigned, knocked on doors, and fought for a party that I believed would make this country better. I did it because I believed that Labour was the best vehicle for change.

But over time, that belief eroded. The party I became involved in all those years ago was one rooted in hope, solidarity, and the radical idea that ordinary people deserved better. But the party I see today often treats its own activists with suspicion, its own principles with caution, and the public with contempt. Like many, I tried to work within. I spoke up. I pushed. I stayed much longer than I perhaps should have, hoping for change. But there comes a point where staying becomes an act of self-harm.

I am proud of the work I did alongside so many comrades. I am proud of the moments we made change happen, no matter how small. And I will always remain part of the wider movement for justice, dignity, and equality. I still believe in collective struggle. In trade unionism. In democracy. In fighting back and demanding better. But the truth is, Keir Starmer has inflicted enormous harm not only on the party, but the country as a whole, and that cannot be forgiven or overlooked. It is no longer a party of integrity.

Some of my key criticisms of Starmer's Labour include:

• Installing a culture of transphobia within the party which has caused significant fear for so many trans people across the United Kingdom
• Toying with the idea of recognising Palestinian statehood and refusing to consistently condemn Israel's genocide in Gaza
• Scaring millions of disabled people by allowing the welfare reforms to attack much-needed financial support, only to partially U-turn at the last minute
• Expelling and suspending those who refuse to toe the line when it harms our communities - such as Diane Abbott, Neil Duncan-Jordan, Brian Leishman, Chris Hinchliff, and Rachel Maskell
• Vile Farage-esque rhetoric against migrants and asylum seekers, particularly the utterly reprehensible "island of strangers" speech

And on top of all of that, as a unionist, I cannot fathom the party built by unionists now turning on the very unions that keep our country effective, such as Wes Streeting's recent attacks on the British Medical Association. This Labour government, led by Keir Starmer, has turned its back on what the Labour Party fundamentally is. And I could no longer be a part of that.

But this is not the end of my politics. It's a turning point. I will still be organising, campaigning, and fighting for what matters. Just not under the Labour banner. I will remain Co-Chair of Pride in Labour, which is permissible under our constitution which does not require me to be a Labour Party member and I will work over the next few months to prepare the organisation for a meaningful handover. I will also not be joining another political party for the time being.

To those of you who are staying - I respect you. To those who have already left - I understand you. To those who are still figuring it out - take your time. Don't feel rushed. This is decision that is impossible to make. But for me, it's the right one. I hope that one day I can return. But for now, I'm out.