Fleet operators are calling for long-term policy stability following Keir Starmer’s sudden resignation as Prime Minister.

Industry experts warn that while political leadership changes create short-term uncertainty, businesses planning multi-year energy, charging and vehicle procurement strategies require a clear direction of travel that transcends shifting leadership at Downing Street.

The PM’s departure follows weeks of increasingly urgent calls from automotive trade groups such as the SMMT, carmakers and even MPs on the Business and Trade Committee (BTC) demanding immediate review and flexibility for the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate. Critics argue that the current mandate is out of step with natural retail consumer demand and places an unsustainable financial burden on the sector.

But Paul Holland, managing director for UK/ANZ vehicle payments at Allstar parent company Corpay, stressed that long-term consistency matters far more to fleets than whoever occupies Number 10.

“A change in political leadership will inevitably create a period of uncertainty for UK businesses,” Holland stated. “But for fleet operators planning years ahead, consistency of policy matters far more than the name above the door at Number 10. Businesses need to commit to vehicles, charging infrastructure and energy strategies years in advance.”

Holland urged the incoming Prime Minister to seize the opportunity to reassure the sector. He emphasised that whether through direct investment, removing rollout barriers, or clarifying transport policy, maintaining momentum on the electric transition is vital.

“The transition is already underway, however, the challenge now is making sure politics doesn’t slow it down,” Holland added.

Echoing the call for alignment, Richard Jones, CEO of Zenith, pointed out that sustaining the UK’s progress on battery electric vehicle (BEV) adoption relies heavily on matching targets with real-world infrastructure, affordability and consumer demand across both new and used markets.

Zenith, which manages diverse car, LCV and HGV fleets and has successfully transitioned over 50% of its car fleet to electric, highlights a growing friction between political ambition and reality. Jones specifically targeted mixed fiscal messages as a core barrier.

“Measures such as the introduction of electric vehicle road taxation (eVED) sends mixed signals at a critical moment, undermining consumer confidence just as we need to accelerate adoption,” Jones warned.

He expressed a strong desire to collaborate with the incoming administration to set realistic timelines that close the gap between policy intent and actions, ensuring the transition drives net benefits to the UK economy without risking billions for investors, funders and taxpayers.

The political debate comes alongside fierce pressure from transport unions. Following Starmer’s announcement that he was stepping down to allow new leadership ahead of the general election, trade union TSSA labelled the move “the decent thing”.

TSSA general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust argued that the leadership change offers a crucial window to address crumbling infrastructure and stagnating living standards left by years of austerity.

The union is calling for a renewed focus on rebuilding national transport infrastructure alongside economic justice, warning the next government that “there is not a moment to lose”.