First Minister John Swinney said Starmer had made the correct decision.
“It was past time for him to face reality and the fact he now has allows some hope that things can change,” he said.
“However, rather than simply a change of personnel, what is needed is a fundamental change of direction. Labour’s time in power has been characterised by broken promises, poor judgement and, ultimately, failure.”
Swinney said a “fresh start” was possible for Scotland, “but only with independence”.
Scottish Green co-leader Gillian Mackay argued there was no reason to believe that Burnham would fare any better as prime minister.
She said: “The problem isn’t the person behind the wheel. It is a party that once worked to serve the interests of working people but now serves only the interests of billionaires and their corporate donors.”
Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay said Starmer would be “remembered as the prime minister of U-turns and broken promises”.
