More than 100 Labour MPs have signed a statement declaring that “this is no time for a leadership contest,” as Prime Minister Keir Starmer told his cabinet he would not step down while a formal leadership challenge has not been triggered. The letter, coordinated by backbenchers, has been signed by 103 MPs, including parliamentary private secretaries. Organisers stressed that it did not originate from Number 10, though MPs confirmed it was circulated by government whips.
The number of signatories exceeds those who have publicly called for the prime minister to leave—more than 80 MPs and three ministers who have resigned, including the influential Jess Phillips. Supporters of Starmer argue this demonstrates he retains the backing of the majority of MPs and the cabinet, though critics note it represents less than half of backbenchers.
“Last week we had a devastatingly tough set of election results. It shows we have a hard job ahead to win back trust from the electorate,” the letter stated. “That job needs to start today – with all of us working together to deliver the change the country needs. We must focus on that. This is no time for a leadership contest.”
In comments that effectively dared Health Secretary Wes Streeting to launch a challenge, Starmer told ministers he intended to continue governing and noted that the threshold for a leadership challenge had not been reached.
Backbenchers who signed the letter include Perran Moon, Phil Brickell, Carolyn Harris, Sam Rushworth, Tulip Siddiq, and Allison Gardner. While many MPs have publicly expressed support for Starmer on Tuesday, calls for his resignation have also intensified, revealing deep divisions within the party.
John Slinger, MP for Rugby, commented: “A change of leadership now, or even prolonged speculation about one, will damage UK investor confidence at a moment when we cannot afford it. I’ve been hearing from businesses with operations in Rugby and beyond, and the message is consistent.”
Kevin Bonovia, MP for Stevenage, echoed that sentiment, stating he agreed with Starmer that the British people want Labour to focus on governing. “I agree with the PM here: our focus as a Labour government must always be on the people we were elected to serve.”
Juliet Campbell, MP for Broxtowe, added: “The prime minister should focus on getting on with the job to deliver the change the UK needs. We rightly criticised the Tories for plunging this country into chaos time and time again with endless leadership contests. Labour should not do the same.”
MPs who coordinated the letter said it had no signoff from Number 10, in an effort to enhance its credibility. However, critical MPs argued that the limited support highlighted Starmer’s struggles. “Only getting 40% of your backbenchers to sign on to the blandest of statements is pathetic. I wasn’t sure where we were headed before, but it’s now clear it’s over. You can only lead if you have the broad support of your party,” one said.
Cabinet ministers rallied around Starmer publicly after the meeting. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said nobody challenged the prime minister during the meeting and that the government should “carry on” with its business. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall told reporters in Downing Street: “The prime minister talked about the challenges we faced as a country, the crisis in the Middle East and the impact on the cost of living here. This government will do what we were elected to do, which is serve the British people. The prime minister has my full support in this.”
The Guardian understands that four senior cabinet ministers—Healey, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy—were among those who spoke to Starmer on Monday. Some advised the prime minister to oversee an orderly transition of power after crushing election defeats risked ending his leadership.
