Hollie Ridley to step down as Labour’s general secretary
Hollie Ridley has announced she will stand down as Labour’s general secretary after two years in the role, reports BritPanorama.
Ms. Ridley, a key ally of Sir Keir Starmer, who ran Labour’s field operations in the 2024 general election, informed party staff on Friday of her decision to leave this autumn.
She cited personal reasons and a desire to allow Labour’s national executive committee to select a new general secretary to collaborate with the party’s anticipated new leader, Andy Burnham.
It is understood that she has reached out to Mr. Burnham’s team and other potential leadership candidates to communicate her decision and affirm her support for the next prime minister.
Paying tribute to Ms. Ridley, Sir Keir Starmer described her as “one of the most formidable campaigners the Labour Party has ever produced.”
He remarked, “She built and led the ground campaign that delivered our general election victory and allowed us to start changing Britain, and as general secretary she has served our party with distinction. I want to thank her for everything she has done for our party, our country, and for me as leader. I am proud to have worked alongside her and wish her the very best for what comes next.”
Ms. Ridley, an ally of Morgan McSweeney, faced criticism within the party regarding her approach to the threat from the Green Party during the Gorton and Denton by-election.
Party chairwoman Anna Turley praised Ms. Ridley as a “trailblazing campaigner” held in high regard by party staff and members.
Ms. Turley added, “I have scarcely met someone with more determination, skill and fierce commitment to supporting other working-class women to rise to the top of their game.”
Described as a trailblazer for senior women in the party, Ms. Ridley will depart after Labour’s annual conference in September, having served the party for almost 16 years.
The daughter of a family support worker and a lorry driver, Ms. Ridley grew up in Dagenham and began her political career as a trainee organiser in 2011.
Over the next decade, she rose through the ranks and was instrumental in expanding opportunities for women in Labour, contributing to the establishment of the Jo Cox Women in Leadership programme. She went on to oversee Labour’s field operations in the 2024 general election before becoming general secretary in September that year.
