Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer spent Friday frantically phoning senior Cabinet ministers to shore up support, only to find that many urged him to set a timetable for his departure. The calls came after Andy Burnham's stunning victory in the Makerfield by-election on Thursday, which intensified pressure on Starmer's leadership.
Cabinet Ministers Urge Timetable
A Government source told The Telegraph: "He was reaching out to people who perhaps two months ago he thought were locked in but could now potentially be wavering." Instead of rallying behind him, several Cabinet ministers pressed Starmer to outline his exit. "More Cabinet ministers than not told him that he needs to set a timetable," a source said. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander reportedly called for clarity, while Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is said to have urged Starmer to resign.
Dwindling Support
Chancellor Rachel Reeves remains one of the few senior Cabinet figures publicly backing the prime minister. Starmer is spending the weekend with his family, weighing whether he has enough support to continue. Downing Street insisted late Saturday that he would stay and fight any challenge.
Burnham's Momentum
Labour’s defeat in Makerfield has transformed the leadership contest, Burnham supporters believe. One Burnham-supporting Labour MP told The Telegraph: "Lots of Starmer backers and Wes [Streeting] backers who have seen the huge result are now quickly trying to jump on board. It is the herd moving." The MP added: "Lots of new intake MPs want to meet Andy. He will be meeting people across the parliamentary Labour Party in the coming days."
Polling Disaster
An Opinium survey of more than 2,000 adults found 55% believe Starmer should resign as Labour leader, compared with 25% who think he should remain. The poll gave him a net favourability rating of -42. A Government member said: "I hope he'll make an announcement on Monday and go by conference" in late September. One loyalist MP said: "I think if Keir held firm, there is a fair chance that Andy would implode and at best would arrive at the finish line much damaged."
