Jodi McKay resigns as NSW Labor leader

Predicted successor Chris Minns has spoken out after an emotional Jodi McKay resigned from her position as NSW Labor leader on Friday.

An emotional Jodi McKay has resigned from her position as NSW Labor leader, despite claiming she still had the support of her caucus.

She said no one had asked her to stand aside and that her colleagues had in fact asked her to stay.

Fighting back tears she said she had spent six days reflecting on how to achieve unity.

“This offers the party the best opportunity to heal and move forward. But there needs to be a future where there is no destabilising of the leader from within,” she said.

Her predicted successor, Chris Minns, is yet to confirm his tilt at party leadership, instead saying he will be talking with party members over the coming days.

Jodi McKay has resigned as NSW Labor leader. Picture:AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi

“Jodi McKay is a person of great integrity and has relentlessly held the government to account on behalf of the people of NSW,” Minns said.

“She has today shown great leadership in putting the party first,” he said.

“We should all learn from her example. We need Jodi McKay’s skills and experience to make the case for a Labor government.

“In the coming days I intend to continue talking to my colleagues in the Labor caucus, Party and movement about how we unify and win the confidence of the people of NSW.”

McKay’s announcement comes after a slew of resignations from her own cabinet including Minns and his close supporter Walt Secord. 

Likely challenger Chris Minns. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

The pair stepped down after a dirt file aimed at Mr Minns was spread by a staffer in the deputy leader Yasmin Catley’s office.

The staffer has since been fired.

The party has been in turmoil since the disastrous Upper Hunter by election result which saw Labor lose with a seven per cent swing against them. 

While Ms McKay said there was no hope Labor would win the seat, the election was seen by many MPs as the final test of her leadership. 

It is understood McKay was struggling to fill roles in her own Shadow Cabinet.

Earlier this week Ms McKay admitted she was not as popular as Premier Gladys Berejiklian, but said she believed she could lead the party to victory in 2023. 

Member for Kogarah Chris Minns is the forerunner to replace McKay, however he is yet to officially put his hat in the ring. 

MP Ryan Park was rumoured to be putting his name down in the leadership contest but has instead thrown support behind Mr Minns in the interest of part unity.