Dozens of Labour MPs have now publicly called for Keir Starmer to quit as pressure mounts on the Prime Minister. Mr Starmer delivered a make-or-break speech on Monday morning vowing to do better, but not all backbenchers are convinced. The Prime Minister faces a perilous battle to get his MPs back onside as his allies try to hose down the threat of a rebellion.
On Monday afternoon, following his speech, former Foreign Office minister Catherine West called on MPs to support her call for Mr Starmer to step down. She said the PM's pledges were "too little, too late". In recent days No10 has been rocked by high-profile MPs and allies of the PM demanding a change of leadership. These included former Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons, who used to head pro-Starmer think-tank Labour Together. He said the party leader had "lost the country" and urged him to set out a timetable for his departure.
Key Figures in the Rebellion
Chris Curtis, who leads the Labour Growth Group, said he did not believe the PM had put forward a plan with the change the country needs. Veteran MP Clive Betts, who has been an MP for over three decades, has also called for change. Others, including former Cabinet member Louise Haigh, have said the PM will have to make way if he does not improve but have stopped short of saying he must go. Labour heavyweight Debbie Abrahams has said Mr Starmer must step aside if things do not improve by the end of the year.
All eyes are on Angela Rayner, who gave a cutting verdict on how Labour is performing, and Wes Streeting, who are both tipped to be lining up leadership bids. Mr Streeting is understood to have told No10 he has a plan if the PM's control falls apart but does not plan to challenge him.
Full List of MPs Calling for Change
- David Baines, MP for St Helens North: "When you’re the leader, the buck stops with you."
- Paula Barker, MP for Liverpool Wavertree: Suggested Mr Starmer needed to go within a set time.
- Apsana Begum, MP for Poplar and Limehouse: Called for "superspeed change, in both leadership and policy."
- Clive Betts, MP for Sheffield South East: Called for the PM to go "with a heavy heart."
- Olivia Blake, MP for Sheffield Hallam: Said the PM "needs to think about his position."
- Jonathan Brash, MP for Hartlepool: Called on the PM to set out a "timetable for his departure."
- Richard Burgon, MP for Leeds East: "Keir must go."
- Ian Byrne, MP for Liverpool West Derby: Called for a "timetable for his departure."
- Markus Campbell-Savours, MP for Penrith and Solway: "His position is now untenable."
- Chris Curtis, MP for Milton Keynes North: "Time for us to look for new leadership."
- Anna Dixon, MP for Shipley: Called for a "clear timetable for a change of leadership."
- Barry Gardiner, MP for Brent West: "He should stand aside."
- Paulette Hamilton, MP for Birmingham Erdington: "Confidence is lost."
- Imran Hussain, MP for Bradford East: Called for a "timetable for an orderly transition."
- Terry Jermy, MP for South West Norfolk: Asked whether Mr Starmer is the right person to lead.
- Kim Johnson, MP for Liverpool Riverside: Called for a "clear timetable for a smooth and orderly transition."
- Alan Gemmell, MP for Central Ayrshire: "He must now set a date for his departure."
- Ian Lavery, MP for Blyth and Ashington: Warned Mr Starmer could "end the party forever."
- Brian Leishman, MP for Alloa and Grangemouth: "He should do the right thing and resign."
- Clive Lewis, MP for Norwich South: "A timetable for his departure is now necessary."
- Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central: Said the Prime Minister cannot continue.
- Andy McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East: Called for a change of leader and policy.
- Catherine McKinnell, MP for Newcastle North: "Time for a new leader."
- Navendu Mishra, MP for Stockport: Called for a "timetable for an orderly transition."
- Abtisam Mohamed, MP for Sheffield Central: Called for a "clear transition and timeline."
- Luke Myer, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland: "A change is needed."
- Connor Naismith, MP for Crewe and Nantwich: Called for new leadership.
- Simon Opher, MP for Stroud: Said Mr Starmer is not the right leader for the next election.
- Kate Osborne, MP for Jarrow and Gateshead East: "Keir needs to resign."
- Bell Ribeiro-Addy, MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill: Called for a "timetable for departure."
- Euan Stainbank, MP for Falkirk: Called for the PM to go.
- Josh Simons, MP for Makerfield: Said the PM had "lost the country."
- David Smith, MP for North Northumberland: Called for a "clear timetable for his departure."
- Graham Stringer, MP for Blackley and Middleton South: Said the PM cannot fight the next election.
- Jon Trickett, MP for Normanton and Hemsworth: Said people want a change.
- Tony Vaughan, MP for Folkestone and Hythe: Called for an orderly transition.
- Catherine West, MP for Hornsey and Friern Barnet: Said the speech was "too little, too late" and is collecting names for a leadership bid.
- Nadia Whittome, MP for Nottingham East: Called for the PM to announce a timetable for his departure.
- Lorraine Beavers, MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood: Called for a "timetable for leaving office."
- Ruth Jones, MP for Newport West and Islwyn: Called for a timetable but not in a rush.
- Fred Thomas, MP for Plymouth Moor View: Said "we must look to a new leader."
Anyone planning to stand against Mr Starmer would need the backing of 81 Labour MPs. Many are hoping to delay any moves so that Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham can return to Parliament. But Business Secretary Peter Kyle indicated that ministers would continue to oppose any bid by Mr Burnham to stand in a by-election.
