Keir Starmer's leadership is hanging by a thread after four ministers dramatically resigned, with Angela Rayner reportedly 'willing to act' to thwart Wes Streeting's ambitions. More than 80 MPs have publicly called for the Prime Minister to step down, but Starmer has told his Cabinet he will not resign. To trigger a leadership contest, 81 MPs must back a single challenger, a scenario that remains distant.
Starmer Acknowledges Destabilisation
The Prime Minister admitted the past few days have 'destabilised' the Government but insisted the process for challenging the Labour leader has not been triggered, vowing to 'get on with governing'. However, No10 has been rocked by the resignations of ministers Miatta Fahnbulleh, Jess Phillips, Alex Davies-Jones, and Zubir Ahmed.
In a scathing resignation letter, Ms Phillips wrote: 'Whilst progress has been made, we have not acted with the vision, pace and ambition that our mandate for change demands of us.'
Backbench Support and Potential Challenges
Despite the turmoil, more than 100 backbenchers are understood to have signed a letter supporting Mr Starmer. Meanwhile, a source indicated that Ms Rayner could enter the fray to take on Mr Streeting if a leadership contest is called.
King Approves New Appointments
In a bid to shore up Starmer's leadership, the King has approved several government appointments following the mass resignations:
- Nesil Caliskan MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Natalie Fleet MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Home Office
- Catherine Atkinson MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Ministry of Justice
- Preet Kaur Gill MP as Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State in the Department of Health and Social Care
- Gen Kitchen MP as Comptroller of HM Household (Government Whip)
- Deirdre Costigan MP as Junior Lord of the Treasury (Government Whip)
- Shaun Davies MP as Assistant Whip, House of Commons
