Sir Keir Starmer is elected as the new Labour Party leader - to the delight of Portsmouth's Labour MP

The former shadow Brexit secretary won the first round of ballots with 56 per cent of overall votes, replacing the outgoing Jeremy Corbyn.

Angela Rayner has also been elected as deputy leader.

Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan has backed Sir Keir from the outset of the leadership election, with the new party leader making a number of visits to Portsmouth.

Mr Morgan said: ‘It has been a huge privilege to be part of a campaign where the party has come out of it better, more united and ready to build another future.

‘Labour is at it’s best when it is a force for good and a force for change; it is fantastic to have a Labour leader who has invested so much time coming to Portsmouth to hear our city’s concerns, understands the challenges our communities face and campaigned alongside us.

‘I am excited about working with Sir Keir and the party as we build the path back to power and to transform our city and our country for the better.’

Sir Keir last visited Portsmouth in February, saying he wants to tackle the city’s air quality and expressing his desire to bring back shipbuilding.

He said: ‘It’s really important that we tackle air quality – London has an issue with it and Portsmouth is the same, but it doesn’t go away with inaction.

‘I would love to bring shipbuilding back and I think there’s a future for it here; there’s everything we need for it in Portsmouth.’

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