BLACKBURN MP Kate Hollern has welcomed the election of Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader and the ‘forensic’ qualities he brings to the job.

She said the former barrister and director of public prosecutions has the qualities the party needed after December’s election rout by Boris Johnson’s Tories.

Neither she nor former Burnley Labour MP Julie Cooper were prepared to blame Sir Keir over his Brexit compromise which many see as contributing to the party’s heavy defeat.

Mrs Hollern, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn’s parliamentary aide, said: “I am very pleased. I voted for Keir and I think he will bring the leadership we need after Jeremy. He has very different qualities. Where Jeremy was passionate, Keir is forensic and detailed. He is keen to bring unity to the party and the country.

“Keir will be able to take us forward in these difficult times. On Brexit he tried to bring the party and the country together but it was an impossible task.”

Former Hyndburn Labour MP Graham Jones, who like Mrs Cooper lost his seat in December’s General Election, said: “Keir is the right choice for Labour. The country can see him walking through the door of Number Ten. I always said I could not see Jeremy Corbyn winning an election and he led Labour to its worst result in 35 years. Keir Starmer comes from a council house and a working class background people can relate to. He is decent, honest and sensible.”

Mrs Cooper said: “I think Keir’s election is a fantastic result. We need a different approach and he brings that. He is very able. Keir tried to bring the party and voters together on Brexit but I don’t blame our defeat on that.”

New Hyndburn Conservative MP Sara Britcliffe said: “Keir Starmer got it totally wrong on Brexit and voters will remember.”