Hollie Ridley, Labour’s general secretary and a close ally of Keir Starmer, has announced she will step down this autumn after two years in the role. In an internal email to party staff, Ridley said she would leave after the party’s annual conference in September, citing personal reasons and the need for a new general secretary to work alongside the incoming leader, Andy Burnham.
Ridley’s Departure and Party Transition
Ridley, who ran Labour’s field operations in the 2024 general election victory, informed staff that her decision was partly personal but also intended to allow the party’s ruling national executive committee to appoint a successor “to work alongside a new leader once they are elected.” Starmer announced in June he would step down as prime minister, with Burnham set to replace him later this month. The general secretary role is highly influential, and Burnham is expected to want a close ally in the post, just as Starmer did when he oversaw Ridley’s appointment shortly after becoming prime minister.
Ridley’s Career and Achievements
Ridley began her work with Labour at age 22 in Dagenham, east London, in 2011, where she grew up, helping to counter the rise of the British National party. She has since held numerous party roles, including campaign organiser, regional organiser, training manager, head of key seats, regional director, executive director of nations and regions, general election field director, and conference arrangements committee secretary. She is seen internally as a trailblazer for senior women in the party. Among her key achievements, Ridley spearheaded Labour’s against-the-odds win in the 2019 Peterborough by-election.
Starmer’s Tribute
In a statement, Starmer called Ridley “one of the most formidable campaigners the Labour party has ever produced,” adding: “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.” He continued: “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.”
Ridley’s Message to Staff
In her email to staff, Ridley reflected on her background: “I grew up in Dagenham, the daughter of a family support worker and a lorry driver. Teachers always told me that politics wasn’t for me, that I should lower my sights and have more realistic expectations. I refused to believe that space shouldn’t be made for working class girls determined to change their communities for the better. The Labour party shared my view, appointing me to the role of trainee organiser.” After deciding to depart, Ridley contacted Burnham’s team and other senior figures in advance, stressing she would continue to support the new prime minister. When she took the job in September 2024, replacing the long-serving David Evans, Ridley was appointed unopposed.
