Nick Robinson was replaced by Kuensberg in 2015. This made Kuensberg the first woman to take over the position.
She stated that it was “incredible” to hold the chair in a period of so much change in British politics.
According to the BBC, Kuensberg will remain in his post until Easter and then move on to a variety of roles.
As political editor, the journalist covered turbulent times in British politics. These included Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Kuensberg said in a statement that “I’ve been so fortunate to do the most daily reporting job in business, with the finest colleagues anyone could wish for,”
“It was amazing to be able to sit in the chair at a time when there has been so much change, and to try and make sense of it all for our viewers and listeners online.”
She said that she would miss Westminster’s daily drama and the wonderful team there. After nearly seven years of what seems like decades worth of headlines it’s now time to make the next move.
She stated that she would be taking on “a variety of news and current affairs projects across television, radio, and online” and added that more details will be revealed next year.
The 45-year old was previously the chief political correspondent at the BBC before he became the BBC’s new politics editor.
She has also held previous senior positions at ITV News, BBC Two’s Newsnight and BBC Two.
Kuensberg won the Broadcaster of the year award in 2016 by the Political Studies Association for her coverage of the EU Referendum of June 2016 and the subsequent follow-up stories.
She was also honored as Journalist of Year at the British Journalism Awards in the same year.
She was named Newscast’s presenter in 2017 alongside Adam Fleming, Chris Mason and Katya Addler.
Fran Unsworth, BBC Director of News said that Laura is a natural journalist who has done an outstanding job as political editor. She is a determined and energetic story-getter who can get to the core of an issue and knows the right questions to ask.
Laura would have made our political coverage so much worse without her as our political editor. We are fortunate to have her.
Tim Davie, director-general of BBC, stated that Laura has been an outstanding BBC editor during the most turbulent political times since living memory. Our audiences have been guided by her incisive commentary and sharp questioning, as well as her insightful insight over the past seven years.
“She is a great interviewer and engaging presenter. I am thrilled to have her on our screens and airwaves. “I look forward to her next chapter.”
Kuensberg conducted interviews with a number of high-profile politicians, including Prime Minister Boris Johnson (his former aide Dominic Cummings).
Kuensberg’s tenure in this role was not without controversy. According to the BBC’s governing body, her News at Six 2017 report on Jeremy Corbyn’s views on shoot-to kill broke accuracy and impartiality rules.
James Harding, the then director of BBC News, rescinded the ruling and called Kuenssberg an “exceptional journalist and political editor with the greatest integrity and professionalism”.
2019: The BBC supported her after she identified Boris Johnson’s father during a hospital visit. After Dominic Cummings was arrested in London, the BBC supported its political editor over concerns she had tweeted.
Kuensberg has been occasionally booed at party conferences. She responded to being given a bodyguard at the Labour party conference by saying that the threats and abuse she faced were meant to silence her.
She will be leaving her current position around Easter 2022. The BBC will then look for her successor.
