The leaders of Enfield and Haringey councils have reacted to the election of Sir Keir Starmer as leader of the Labour Party.

Enfield’s leader Cllr Nesil Caliskan welcomed Sir Keir’s “decisive victory” and said it marked the “beginning of a new era for Labour”.

She said the party could now build a “united, focused and formidable movement” able to win a general election.

Haringey leader Cllr Joseph Ejiofor congratulated Sir Keir and said the party would “pull together” in its aim of delivering a “fairer, more compassionate and more caring society”.

Cllr Ejiofor – a member of left-wing campaign group Momentum, which backed previous Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn – added there could be “no return to austerity” and called for investment in public services.

Sir Keir, who is MP for Holborn and St Pancras, was elected Labour leader on Saturday (April 4) with 56 per cent of the vote, giving him a landslide victory over rivals Lisa Nandy and Rebecca Long-Bailey.

Cllr Caliskan (Labour, Jubilee) said: “The past few years have been the most difficult for the Labour Party in the history of the movement. Sir Keir Starmer’s decisive victory in becoming leader of the Labour Party is the beginning of a new era for Labour.

“Along with other council leaders, I proudly supported Keir when he launched his campaign, because he truly understands the value of local government.

“Keir’s leadership is already igniting hope in not just party members, but many voters across the country who felt they couldn’t trust Labour.

“We can now rebuild a united, focused and formidable movement that is both radical and credible, ready to hold the government to account and win a general election when the time comes.”

Cllr Joseph Ejiofor (Labour, Bruce Grove) said: “I have congratulated Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner on their election as leader and deputy leader of the Labour Party.

“I am confident that the party, the membership and our MPs will pull together under their leadership, highlighting our commitment to a fairer, more compassionate, and more caring society. We have an opposition that will fight to ensure that these principles are reflected in the way the country is governed, both in opposition and when in power.

“There can be no return to austerity. The only way that we as a country can protect the most vulnerable in society, and fight for the rights of workers and our hardworking NHS staff who are risking their lives to help save ours, is to finally end a decade of austerity and invest in public services again.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Tottenham MP David Lammy on his return to the Labour frontbench as Shadow Justice Secretary. I know that he will be a valuable addition to the team and remain a staunch advocate for fairness and justice.”

In neighbouring Barnet, Labour leader Cllr Barry Rawlings welcomed Sir Keir’s election.

Cllr Rawlings – whose party is in opposition on Barnet Council – said Sir Keir would help to unify the party and rid it of anti-Semitism.