Jess Phillips Resigns as Safeguarding Minister
Jess Phillips has resigned from her position as safeguarding minister, informing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer that she was "not seeing the change" the country anticipated and could no longer serve "under the current leadership".
In her resignation letter, Phillips expressed concern that opportunities to advance efforts against violence towards women and girls had been "stalled and delayed," criticizing Sir Keir's approach as lacking boldness.
Context of Resignations and Leadership Challenges
Phillips is the third minister to resign as Sir Keir faces mounting pressure from Labour MPs who are calling for his resignation following a poor performance in recent elections.
Despite the turmoil, on Tuesday Sir Keir addressed cabinet ministers, affirming his intention to continue governing and noting that no formal leadership challenge had been initiated.
Several senior ministers publicly supported the prime minister after the cabinet meeting.
A government source informed the BBC that during the meeting, Sir Keir stated he would not discuss election outcomes or his leadership with the full cabinet, choosing instead to address such matters individually with ministers.
The BBC also reported that multiple cabinet ministers sought to discuss Sir Keir's leadership with him after the meeting, but he declined to engage.
Sir Keir's Response and Phillips' Critique
In a speech on Monday aimed at stabilizing his premiership, Sir Keir acknowledged that "incremental change won't cut it" and pledged to confront the significant challenges facing the country.
However, Phillips highlighted in her letter that "real change" in her role often resulted from threats she made following "catastrophic mistakes."
"I think you are a good man fundamentally, who cares about the right things however I have seen first-hand how that is not enough," Phillips wrote.
"The desire not to have an argument means we rarely make an argument, leaving opportunities for progress stalled and delayed."
She detailed the difficulty in securing the prime minister's agreement to "threaten" legislation aimed at prohibiting children in the UK from taking naked images of themselves, a measure she described as incremental rather than bold.
"It has taken me a year to get the prime minister to agree to 'threaten' legislation that would end the ability for children in the UK to take naked images of themselves," Phillips stated.
"This is the definition of incremental change. Nothing bold about it.
"The announcement was meant to be in March, I'm still on a promise this will happen in June, I've given up believing it. How many children were left without a safety net in the time we dilly dallied and worried about tech bosses?"
Phillips acknowledged Sir Keir's genuine concern but emphasized that actions, not words, are what matter.
"I'm not sure we are grasping this rare opportunity with the gusto that's needed and I cannot keep waiting around for a crisis to push for faster progress," she said.
Concluding her letter, Phillips affirmed her commitment to a successful Labour government but stated her inability to continue serving under the current leadership.
"I want a Labour government to work and I will strive as I always have for its success and popularity, but I'm not seeing the change I think I, and the country expect, and so cannot continue to serve as a minister under the current leadership."
Background on Phillips and Labour's Policy Goals
Phillips had campaigned on reducing violence against women and girls prior to her appointment as minister for safeguarding following the 2024 general election.
Labour's manifesto committed to halving the rate of violence against women and girls within the next decade.
Home Office insiders conveyed to the BBC significant frustration among staff regarding the slow implementation of policies, a concern Phillips echoed in her resignation letter.
Other Ministerial Resignations
Phillips' resignation followed those of Miatta Fahnbulleh, minister for devolution, faith and communities, and Alex Davies-Jones, minister for victims and violence against women and girls.
Fahnbulleh urged the prime minister "to do the right thing for the country and the party and set a timetable for an orderly transition."
Davies-Jones called for "bold, radical action" and similarly requested that Sir Keir outline a timetable for his departure.
Labour Leadership Challenge Process
A leadership election within Labour can only be triggered if the leader resigns or if Labour MPs initiate a challenge when there is no vacancy.
To formally start a leadership challenge against an incumbent leader, a challenger must secure the support of 20% of Labour MPs. Given the current number of Labour MPs, this equates to 81 supporters.
More than 80 Labour MPs have publicly called for Sir Keir to resign immediately or to establish a timetable for his exit.
Political Turmoil Ahead of King's Speech
The recent resignations and instability within Downing Street occur just one day before Sir Keir's government is scheduled to present its legislative agenda in the King's Speech.
