Cabinet ministers have rallied behind Sir Keir Starmer after the Prime Minister vowed to fight on despite growing calls for his resignation. Following a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, four senior ministers publicly expressed their support for the embattled Labour leader, who told his top team he would continue governing.
Public Backing from Key Figures
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, and Housing Secretary Steve Reed all spoke to reporters outside Downing Street to affirm their confidence in Sir Keir. Ms Kendall stated: “This Government will do what we were elected to do, which is serve the British people. The Prime Minister has my full support in this.” She added that there is a process to challenge the leadership, but no such challenge has been made, emphasising the need to focus on economic growth and the cost of living.
Mr McFadden confirmed that nobody publicly challenged Sir Keir to step down during the meeting. Mr Kyle praised the Prime Minister’s “really steadfast leadership,” while Mr Reed offered his “full support.”
Silence from Others Highlights Divisions
However, other Cabinet members, including those rumoured to have urged Sir Keir to quit, left the meeting without speaking to reporters, underscoring ongoing splits within the top team. Notably, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, often seen as a potential successor, declined to comment as he departed.
The show of support comes as Sir Keir faces mounting pressure from within his party following recent political setbacks. Despite the backing from some ministers, the silence from others suggests that the leadership question remains unresolved.
