British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has paid tribute to the “remarkable career” of US President Joe Biden, after the octogenarian announced he was withdrawing from the 2024 election.
The 81-year-old stepped aside tonight after facing weeks of questions about his fitness to serve following his disastrous performance in the presidential debate that set off a series of gaffes from which he has been unable to recover.
His historic decision comes 24 days after the debate and after a 50-year career in politics that culminated with his rise to the White House.
The prime minister, elected earlier this month, said: ‘I respect President Biden’s decision and look forward to working together for the remainder of his presidency.
“I know that, as he has done throughout his remarkable career, President Biden will have made his decision based on what he believes is in the best interests of the American people.”
His opposition counterpart, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, told X: “Working with Joe Biden, I saw firsthand his love for America and his dedication to service.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (pictured) paid tribute to US President Joe Biden’s “remarkable career”
The 81-year-old stepped aside tonight after facing weeks of questions about his fitness to serve.
“Our collaboration has led to significant achievements, including the AUKUS (Australia-United Kingdom-United States) agreement, strong support for Israel, and joint efforts to defend our people from Houthi threats. I wish him all the best.”
Former minister Rory Stewart said Biden made a “great decision” and added in a post on X:
“He has many things he should be proud of, particularly his economic record. Now all eyes are on the Democrats, who must find a great future president.”
“An incredibly important and correct decision.”
His co-host on The Rest is Politics, Alastair Campbell, added: “A turning point. Sometimes they are necessary. It is sad and cruel in many ways that a good man with a good record should have to resign under pressure.”
“But it opens the door to a very different kind of campaign in which the focus is once again on the threat to the world posed by a second Trump term.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan told X: ‘Putting your country first shows true and inspiring leadership.
“Thank you Joe Biden for your service, your courage, and your commitment to progressive politics.”
Meanwhile, outspoken right-wing MP Nigel Farage took to X to gloat over Biden’s withdrawal, writing: “I predicted this would happen in September 2023. Whoever they elect, Trump will win in November.”
Fellow reformer Richard Tice said the same: “I’ve been saying for months that I wouldn’t be on the ballot. Donald Trump will beat whoever the Democrats put forward.”
Dragon’s Den star Steven Bartlett said on LinkedIn: “Right now, only Michelle Obama can beat Trump. That’s a fact.”
So far, no other living former British prime minister has said anything about Biden withdrawing from the presidential race.
Former Conservative minister Rory Stewart (pictured) has praised US President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race
Right-wing MP Nigel Farage (pictured) took to X to gloat over Biden’s withdrawal
Moments after his announcement, Biden posted an endorsement of Harris to take over his campaign on X.
Downing Street itself has yet to issue any statement on Biden’s decision.
Furthermore, none of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s cabinet members have said anything in response.
Pat McFadden, chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, reposted Biden’s statement but did not add any further comment.
Biden announced his surprise decision in a one-page letter in which he pledged to complete his term and soon after issued a follow-up tweet endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement.
Democrats must now rush to shore up their campaign behind a new candidate less than four months before Election Day.
“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President,” Biden wrote in a letter posted to his X account on Sunday.
“And while it has been my intention to seek re-election,” he continued, “I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to step down and focus exclusively on fulfilling my duties as president for the remainder of my term.”
Biden announced his historic decision to step aside in a one-page letter in which he pledged to complete his term but stopped short of fully endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement.
President Joe Biden has dropped out of the 2024 presidential race, ending his re-election bid after a series of backlashes over his June 27 car crash debate performance against Donald Trump.
The announcement came the same day that a number of Biden allies took to the airwaves to insist that the president would not resign and would continue his reelection efforts.
Biden said in his letter that he would speak in more detail about his decision in remarks to the nation later this week.
Last week, Biden was removed from the campaign trail after being diagnosed with COVID-19 for the third time in the middle of a West Coast tour. This led to even more speculation about his imminent withdrawal from the race.