Nearly 100 Labour MPs have called for Sir Keir Starmer to resign following the party's worst local election results on record, with former health secretary Wes Streeting becoming the most high-profile figure to quit in a scathing resignation letter.
Streeting's Resignation Letter
In his letter, Streeting wrote: "Where we need vision, we have a vacuum. Where we need direction, we have drift." He urged the prime minister to set a timeline for his departure, adding that "it is now clear that you will not lead the Labour Party into the next general election."
Streeting, widely seen as a leadership hopeful, did not explicitly announce a challenge but his resignation has intensified pressure on Starmer.
Other Resignations
Several junior ministers have also resigned, including Dr Zubir Ahmed (health and innovation minister), Jess Phillips (safeguarding minister), Miatta Fahnbulleh (devolution minister), and Alex Davies-Jones (victims minister). Phillips wrote that Starmer is "a good man" but that she is "not seeing the change" expected.
Four ministerial aides have also quit, including Joe Morris, an aide to Streeting, and Tom Rutland, a parliamentary private secretary.
Leadership Contenders
Potential successors include former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, who said Labour's approach "isn't working" but ruled out triggering a contest, and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who pulled out of his radio slot amid speculation about a return to Westminster. However, Burnham would first need to become an MP.
Over 100 Labour MPs have signed a statement urging Starmer not to stand down, calling for stability, revealing a deep split in the party.
Background
Labour won 411 seats in the 2024 general election with a 174-seat majority. To trigger a leadership contest, 81 MPs (20% of the parliamentary party) must back a single challenger. With nearly 100 MPs now publicly calling for change, the pressure on Downing Street is immense.
