A member of the United Kingdom government, Alex Davies-Jones, has resigned from her position as Minister for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls.
The lawmaker also cited the need for “bold, radical action” following the Labour Party’s recent electoral setbacks across the country.
In a resignation letter addressed to Keir Starmer, Davies-Jones described her time in government as “the honour of my life.”
“It has been the honour of my life to serve His Majesty’s Government as the Minister for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls,” she wrote in the letter released via her X handle.
The lawmaker representing Pontypridd said she was proud of the reforms achieved during her tenure.
“I have been proud to deliver some monumental changes which will help save lives and shift the dial on the conversation,” she stated.
Davies-Jones, however, said the government needed to do more, adding that she had “no choice” but to step down.
“However, we have needed to do more, and therefore it is with a very heavy heart that I feel I have no choice but to resign,” she said.
The MP linked her decision to what she described as “catastrophic” electoral defeats suffered by the party in Wales and across the United Kingdom.
“The scale of the electoral defeats at the Senedd Cymru and across the United Kingdom has been catastrophic. The country has spoken, and we must listen,” the letter read.
She stressed the need for urgent reforms and stronger political action.
“We waited fourteen years to get into power and change the lives of those we represent. The time now is for bold, radical action,” she added.
Davies-Jones also appealed directly to the Prime Minister to consider stepping aside in the national interest.
“I implore you to act in the country’s interest and set out a timetable for your departure,” she wrote.
Despite her criticism, the MP described Starmer as “a good and honest man.”
Davies-Jones concluded her letter with the Welsh word “Ymlaen” (Forward), signalling a move toward a new direction for her political career and, potentially, the party at large.
The resignation marks a deepening crisis for the Starmer administration, which is facing mounting internal and external pressure following a string of poor performances at the polls.
Davies-Jones’s public call for a leadership transition suggests a widening rift within the party’s frontbench as senior figures begin to distance themselves from a leadership perceived to be failing.
The PUNCH