Three more Scottish Labour MPs have added their voices to the growing chorus within the party calling for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to step down. The MPs each released statements on Monday evening expressing that they had lost faith in his leadership, pointing to the party's disappointing performance in last week's elections.
MPs Cite Election Results
Melanie Ward, the MP for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy, was among several government aides across the UK who resigned to signal their discontent. Gordon McKee, Labour MP for Glasgow South and a former parliamentary private secretary at the Department for Work and Pensions, also declared it was time for a change. Maureen Burke, representing Glasgow North East, joined the growing number of dissatisfied MPs calling for Sir Keir to go.
However, not all Scottish Labour MPs share this view. Alison Taylor, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, posted a message online supporting the Prime Minister, stating that he was elected on a five-year mandate and deserves backing from his team.
Statements from the MPs
Ms Ward said on social media: “Keir Starmer did important work to change the Labour Party, and governing in a time like this will never be easy. But the message from last week’s elections was clear; the Prime Minister has lost the confidence of the public to lead this change.”
Ms Burke posted: “Despite two decades of SNP failure, people were reluctant to give Labour a hearing and told me that they could not, in good faith, vote Labour while Keir Starmer is Prime Minister. Our party owes Keir a debt of gratitude for his leadership, but we are bigger than one person. With a heavy heart, I am calling on the Prime Minister to set out a timetable for his departure and for our party to have a period of reflection with any and all candidates willing to have the chance to put themselves forward.”
Mr McKee said: “I’m deeply sad that we’re in this position and proud of what Keir Starmer achieved reforming the Labour Party. However, the message in Glasgow and across the country in last week’s elections was clear; the Prime Minister has lost the confidence of the public.”
Support for Starmer
Ms Taylor backed the Prime Minister, saying: “It’s wrong not to back the Leader. Just wrong. This is not the way to go about such matters. Keir needs supported by his team. Not have the knives turned on him.”
Other Scottish Labour MPs, such as Brian Leishman of Alloa and Grangemouth, had previously called for Sir Keir to resign. The internal rebellion highlights deepening divisions within the party following the election setback.
