Home Office Minister Jess Phillips has resigned from Sir Keir Starmer's Government, intensifying pressure on the embattled Labour leader to step down after he vowed to continue as Prime Minister. The safeguarding minister became the second minister to leave the Cabinet in a single day, criticising what she described as a failure to be "bold" in addressing key issues.
Growing Calls for Leadership Change
At least 81 out of Labour's 403 Members of Parliament have now publicly demanded Sir Keir's departure following the party's severe electoral losses last week. While this number numerically meets the threshold required to trigger a leadership contest, it hinges on the condition that all critics unite behind a single candidate—a scenario that currently appears unlikely.
Sir Keir informed his Cabinet that he would continue governing, and several senior ministers emerged from the meeting expressing support for him. However, the resignations and mounting dissent highlight deep divisions within the party.
Phillips' Resignation Statement
In her resignation letter, shared on X by Sky News, Birmingham Yardley MP Ms Phillips stated: "I think you are a good man fundamentally, who cares about the right things; however, I have seen first-hand how that is not enough. The desire not to have an argument means we rarely make an argument, leaving opportunities for progress stalled and delayed."
She pointed to delays in proposals aimed at preventing children from sharing explicit images online as an example of "incremental change. Nothing bold about it." Phillips added: "I know you care deeply, but deeds, not words, are what matter. I'm not sure we are grasping this rare opportunity with the gusto that's needed, and I cannot keep waiting around for a crisis to push for faster progress."
She concluded: "Decency is vital, calm curiosity is also needed, but so too are fight and drive required. Have a row, push back, make arguments, bring people along. Standing up and being counted can't always be workshopped. Politics is as much about feelings as policy, especially at the moment... I'm not seeing the change I think I, and the country expect, and so cannot continue to serve as a minister under the current leadership."
Starmer's Response and Cabinet Divisions
The Prime Minister defied calls to vacate Downing Street, telling his Cabinet that the country "expects us to get on with governing" and "that is what I am doing." He avoided direct challenges to his leadership during Tuesday's meeting and declined to meet critics individually afterwards, according to the Press Association.
Several loyal ministers, including Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, Business Secretary Peter Kyle, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, and Housing Secretary Steve Reed, publicly voiced their support for the Prime Minister. However, other Cabinet members—including those rumoured to have urged Sir Keir to resign—left the meeting without speaking to reporters, indicating splits within the top team.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting, widely seen as a potential successor, ignored journalists as he left Number 10. Phillips' departure followed the resignation earlier on Tuesday of Miatta Fahnbulleh as housing, communities and local government minister. Fahnbulleh, a close ally of Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, told the Prime Minister "to do the right thing for the country and the party, and set a timetable for an orderly transition," citing lost public trust over issues such as the scrapping of the winter fuel payment.
