Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar is reportedly poised to make a dramatic intervention by urging Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign from office. This move marks the first time a major figure within the Labour Party has publicly called for Starmer to step down, signalling a significant escalation in internal tensions.
Press Conference in Glasgow
Sarwar is expected to deliver his demand during a press conference in Glasgow, where he will address the growing fallout from the Peter Mandelson scandal. This controversy has severely called the Prime Minister's judgment into question, raising doubts about his leadership capabilities and decision-making processes.
Paving the Way for Cabinet Ministers
Sarwar's bold intervention could potentially pave the way for Cabinet ministers to weigh in on Starmer's future. This development comes after the Prime Minister insisted he would not be resigning in the wake of Morgan McSweeney's departure from Downing Street, which has already shaken the government's stability.
Earlier, the Prime Minister's press chief Tim Allan also resigned his post, stating he wanted to 'allow a new No10 team to be built'. Allan, a former Tony Blair adviser, had only been in the role since September and had pledged to help Starmer 'turn the corner' with a strategic reset. However, senior Labour sources have since accused him of being 'completely useless', further highlighting the turmoil within the administration.
Mounting Pressure on Starmer
The combined resignations and Sarwar's impending call for resignation underscore the mounting pressure on Keir Starmer. As the first major party figure to take such a stance, Sarwar's move is seen as a critical moment that could influence other Labour members to voice their concerns publicly.
This situation reflects broader issues within the Labour Party, including questions about leadership effectiveness and internal cohesion. The Peter Mandelson scandal has acted as a catalyst, bringing these underlying tensions to the forefront and prompting calls for a change at the highest level of government.
