Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Resignation: Jenny Holloway Talks to Just – Style on Political Transition and How It Could Impact Fashion Supply Chains

Fashion-Enter Ltd (FEL) CEO and Apparel & Textile Manufacturers Federation (ATMF) Chair Jenny Holloway has been featured in a major industry analysis by Just-Style.com examining the potential impact of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s resignation on UK fashion supply chains, manufacturing and industrial policy.

Published on 23rd June 2026, the article ‘What Starmer stepping down means for fashion supply chains’ by Isatou Ndure, explored how political change at the highest level of government could affect investment, sourcing, skills development and support for UK manufacturing, with industry leaders sharing their views on the challenges and opportunities ahead.

As one of the UK’s leading advocates for domestic garment production, apprenticeships and ethical manufacturing, Jenny was invited to provide insight into what a leadership transition could mean for British fashion and textile businesses.

A Critical Time for UK Manufacturing

While political leadership changes often dominate headlines, the implications for manufacturers can be significant. Across the UK fashion and textile sector, businesses continue to face rising costs, increasing global competition and ongoing pressure to secure consistent order volumes.

At the same time, there is growing momentum behind reshoring, sustainability initiatives, circular fashion and public procurement opportunities that could help strengthen domestic supply chains.

In her comments to Just-Style, Jenny highlighted the importance of maintaining progress on these priorities and ensuring that support for UK manufacturing remains high on the government’s agenda.

Jenny’s Comments to Just-Style

Speaking about the possibility of Andy Burnham becoming the next Prime Minister, Jenny highlighted his long-standing support for manufacturing, apprenticeships and vocational skills.

“We don’t need this to shift manufacturing supply chains away from London to Manchester. If he is to be PM, then hopefully he will promote all manufacturing within the UK.”

Jenny also emphasised the importance of technical training and apprenticeship programmes in rebuilding Britain’s manufacturing capabilities.

“Fashion-Enter also has our Fashion Technology Academy, and we are huge advocates of apprenticeships and real skill training, i.e., patterns and stitching. I know in the past Burnham has strongly emphasised guaranteeing apprenticeships and work placements for 16-to-18-year-olds.”

However, Jenny’s strongest message centred on the urgent need for action rather than political delay.

“What we do not need is delays. We are talking to a wide cross-section of public procurement bodies, and we need to push this agenda forward, and quickly, to save the factories that are desperate for work.“

“My fear with a new leadership and cabinet is that nothing will happen – everything goes on the back burner, yet private industry has to find a way to navigate the shrinking base of orders being made in the UK.”

And concluded with a direct call for practical support: “Let’s have some action and start to support the factories with public procurement orders that are available now.”

Public Procurement Remains a Key Priority

Jenny’s comments reflect the growing concerns of many UK manufacturers who are seeking greater access to public sector contracts.

As Chair of the ATMF, Jenny has spent the past year actively engaging with government departments, procurement agencies and major contractors to promote UK textile and garment manufacturing as a strategic national asset.

Recent discussions have focused on increasing opportunities for British-made products within public procurement frameworks, ensuring that government spending supports domestic industry while strengthening supply chain resilience.

For many manufacturers, access to public procurement contracts could provide a much-needed pipeline of work at a time when retail orders remain under pressure.

The concern expressed by Jenny is that any prolonged political transition could slow decision-making and delay policies that have already begun to gain traction within government.

Why Skills and Apprenticeships Matter

Another key theme highlighted in the Just-Style article was the future of skills development.

Fashion-Enter Ltd has long argued that rebuilding UK manufacturing capacity requires sustained investment in technical education, apprenticeships and vocational training.

Through its Fashion Technology Academy, FEL delivers training programmes ranging from entry-level qualifications to advanced Product Technologist apprenticeships. The organisation recently celebrated a 100% Distinction success rate for six NEXT apprentices completing the Level 4 Fashion & Textiles Product Technologist Apprenticeship.

For manufacturers facing ongoing skills shortages, apprenticeship programmes provide a direct route to developing the next generation of garment technologists, pattern cutters, machinists and production specialists.

Any future government commitment to expanding apprenticeship opportunities would therefore be welcomed across much of the sector.

Opportunities for the Fashion and Textile Industry

While political uncertainty often creates concern within financial markets, there are also potential opportunities for the fashion and textile industry if manufacturing remains a policy priority.

Industry stakeholders have increasingly called for:

• Greater support for UK manufacturing and reshoring initiatives.
• Increased access to public procurement opportunities.
• Investment in vocational skills and apprenticeships.
• Support for circular fashion and textile recycling infrastructure.
• Stronger regional manufacturing clusters across the UK.
• Policies that encourage innovation and sustainable production.

Many of these priorities align with initiatives already being developed by organisations such as Fashion-Enter Ltd, the FTA and the ATMF.

The coming weeks will provide greater clarity on the future direction of government policy. For the UK’s fashion and textile sector, the key issue will not simply be who becomes Prime Minister, but whether support for manufacturing, skills and public procurement continues to move forward at pace.

Jenny’s comments for the Just-Style article highlights the concerns shared by many manufacturers across the country: the need for action, certainty and practical support for businesses that are working hard to keep production, jobs and skills within the UK.

To read the full article visit: ‘What Starmer stepping down means for fashion supply chains’

Thank you to Just-Style.com and Isatou Ndure