Prime Minister Keir Starmer has insisted that the 'vast majority' of Labour MPs remain supportive of his leadership, despite growing pressure over the appointment of Peter Mandelson as ambassador to Washington. In an interview with the Sunday Times, Starmer said that while there is always 'talk' in politics, the loyal and supportive members of his party are often not heard from.
'They're pleased to be in power. They've waited a long time to be in power. And they just want to get on with their job,' Starmer said. 'They don't make a lot of noise about it. They don't talk to journalists about it. It's really important that is reflected in these debates.'
The controversy centres on Mandelson's appointment despite vetting officials recommending he be denied security clearance. Starmer's former chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, who resigned in February over his role in the hiring, is expected to appear before the foreign affairs committee on Tuesday. Last week, former Foreign Office official Olly Robbins told the committee that No 10 had created an 'atmosphere of pressure' that made it almost impossible to deny clearance for Mandelson.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones defended the Prime Minister on Sunday, saying that in his work around the country, Mandelson is rarely mentioned. 'People are more worried about the impact of the Middle East on their energy bills,' Jones said. Meanwhile, shadow home secretary Chris Philp called for Starmer's resignation, urging Labour backbenchers and ministers to 'develop a backbone and get rid of him'.
The SNP also joined calls for Starmer to step down, with chief whip Kirsty Blackman responding to reports that the Prime Minister is considering sacking Chancellor Rachel Reeves. 'This reeks of desperation,' Blackman said. 'If Starmer won't do the decent thing and quit, people in Scotland can show him the door by voting SNP on 7 May.'
Starmer, however, remains confident that Labour can win the next general election under his leadership. 'We didn't wait 14 years to get elected, we didn't change the Labour party, we didn't do all that it entailed to win the election and the mandate for change, not to deliver on it,' he said.
