Keir Starmer's leadership is under severe threat, with senior cabinet ministers reportedly urging him to set out a timetable for his departure. This comes after more than 70 Labour MPs publicly called for him to stand down, following crushing election defeats.
The Guardian understands that four senior cabinet ministers – Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Defence Secretary John Healey, and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy – spoke to Starmer on Monday. Some told him he should oversee an orderly transition of power, while others discussed taking a 'responsible, dignified, orderly' approach to what might follow. However, several others, including Richard Hermer and Steve Reed, urged him to fight on.
One cabinet minister said: 'In the end Keir has listened to cabinet ministers – there are differences about where this will go and what is in the best interests of party and country. He’ll have to make a decision about what he’s going to do before cabinet tomorrow.' Chief Whip Jonathan Reynolds spent the day in Downing Street, conveying the mood among backbenchers.
Among those publicly calling for Starmer to resign were close allies of Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who urged a 'swift' timetable. Supporters of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham also published letters calling for the prime minister to go. Sources on Labour’s ruling national executive committee suggested they could take a different course next time regarding Burnham's candidacy.
Several sources expressed anger at Burnham and Streeting, whom they believe precipitated the leadership crisis. Angela Rayner, whose own chances of running are stalled until her tax affairs are resolved, appeared to back Burnham, arguing that blocking him had been a mistake. Starmer, in a speech earlier on Monday, said he would not resign and would fight any leadership challenge, warning that the country would 'never forgive' Labour for plunging into the chaos of a leadership election.
