Keir Starmer's leadership is facing its most serious challenge yet, with senior cabinet ministers and over 70 Labour MPs calling for his resignation. The Guardian understands that Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood have told the Prime Minister to oversee an orderly transition of power following devastating local election results.
At least two other cabinet ministers, believed to be John Healey and David Lammy, discussed with Starmer the need for a 'responsible, dignified, orderly' approach to what might follow. However, others including Richard Hermer and Steve Reed urged him to fight on. One cabinet minister said: 'In the end Keir has listened to cabinet ministers – there are differences about where this will go and what is in best interests of party and country. He'll have to make a decision about what he's going to do before cabinet tomorrow.'
Several sources expressed anger at Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting, whom they believe precipitated the crisis by sanctioning allies to call for Starmer's departure. 'They've got their hands all over this,' one source said. More than 70 Labour MPs have publicly demanded Starmer stand down, after a speech aimed at shoring up his leadership fell flat.
Tom Rutland, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham, resigned as a Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS), stating that voter 'animosity' to the PM means Starmer can no longer stay. Starmer responded by appointing six new PPSs, including David Burton-Sampson and Jayne Kirkham, signalling his determination to continue despite the rebellion.
A seventh Scottish Labour MP, Gordon McKee, called for Starmer's resignation, warning that without change, 'the outcome could be Nigel Farage in Downing Street'. The Prime Minister's grip on power appears to be slipping, with no formal leadership challenge yet materialised but pressure mounting from within his own party.
