Sir Keir Starmer is holding onto his position as Labour leader despite four ministerial resignations and over 90 MPs calling for him to step down after the party's poor election performance. The Prime Minister faced his cabinet on Tuesday, challenging potential rivals to mount a formal leadership bid if they wish to remove him.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting, seen as a possible challenger, left a cabinet meeting without comment. He is due to meet Starmer on Wednesday ahead of the King's Speech. Meanwhile, over 100 MPs signed a letter backing Starmer, urging unity and warning against a leadership contest at this time.
Supporters of former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner are reportedly ready to act if Streeting declares his candidacy. Speculation also surrounds Ed Miliband and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, though Miliband's camp has denied a leadership bid.
Starmer told ministers that the past 48 hours had been destabilising and that the party's leadership challenge process had not been triggered. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper reportedly advised him to quit, but Mahmood insisted she would not resign.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy warned that internal divisions would benefit Reform UK, while Defence Secretary John Healey and other senior figures voiced support for Starmer. However, resignations included Home Office minister Jess Phillips, who criticised a lack of argument and stalled progress in her resignation letter.
