Labour MPs Question Starmer's Leadership After Election Defeats
Following Labour's poor performance in recent elections, at least a dozen Labour MPs have publicly suggested that Sir Keir Starmer should resign or set a clear timetable for stepping down as party leader.
It remains to be seen whether this sentiment will spread further within the party.
Many Labour MPs attribute the party's electoral difficulties directly to the prime minister's leadership.
"There was one issue on the door and it was Keir. If he leads us into a future election we are dead,"
one Labour MP told the BBC.
Another typically loyal Labour MP, representing an area that heavily supported Reform in Thursday's poll, commented that while voters did not strongly dislike Labour itself, they did harbor strong negative feelings towards Sir Keir.
"The reassuring thing was that voters didn't really hate Labour, but they did hate Keir."
A senior Labour figure remarked,
"Everyone in Wales is saying this is all Starmer's fault."
However, some MPs express concern about the potential consequences of a leadership contest while the party is in government and question whether a change in leadership would resolve the underlying issues.
"I am still of the view that anyone who takes over will inherit the same problem - an impatient and almost ungovernable country that wants tax cuts and spending increases on nearly everything,"
said another Labour MP.
Most cabinet ministers have rallied publicly in support of Sir Keir, appearing on television and using social media to reinforce his message that he will remain in Number 10.
For example, Business Secretary Peter Kyle stated,
"Reversing these results requires a collective effort, not just blaming the boss."
While few MPs place full blame on the leader, a significant number consider him partly responsible for the party's difficulties.
Despite the evident frustration, there are not yet widespread calls for Sir Keir's immediate removal, reflecting the complexities of Labour politics.
Former cabinet minister Louise Haigh told the BBC that now is not the time for a disruptive leadership contest and commended Sir Keir's position on the Iran conflict.
However, she added a cautionary note:
"The message has been clear from the public, unless the government delivers urgent and significant change it's clear the PM cannot lead us into the next election."
Her colleague Sarah Owen went further, stating,
"Unless Keir Starmer delivers tangible change ... he cannot lead us into another election (locally or nationally)."
Both MPs are prominent members of the "soft left" Tribune group, some of whom are willing to offer Sir Keir only temporary support until Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham can return to Westminster and challenge for leadership.
'Mutinous Mood' Emerges Among Some Labour MPs
Throughout the day, there has been a concerted effort by some centre-left party members to pressure the prime minister via interviews and social media to announce a timetable for his departure.
Some of those advocating for a departure timetable are motivated by Burnham's leadership ambitions.
However, Burnham is not currently a Member of Parliament, a requirement for Labour leadership.
"You can't become Labour leader without being an MP, and Burnham isn't an MP."
It is believed that a timetable rather than an immediate exit would allow time for Burnham's return to Parliament.
When Burnham attempted to stand for Parliament a few months ago, the party barred his candidacy.
Some members of Labour's National Executive Committee have indicated to the BBC that they would still consider blocking his candidacy.
If this occurs, the Burnham supporters' alternative plans remain unclear.
However, as expected, several MPs are now calling for the removal of this barrier.
One MP told the BBC,
"If Burnham was again blocked, the mood in the Parliamentary Labour Party would be mutinous."
Those publicly voicing these concerns represent a small fraction of the over 400 Labour MPs in the Commons.
The fact that numerous cabinet ministers feel compelled to publicly affirm their loyalty to the prime minister on social media is unusual and reflects the anxiety within Downing Street.
This election cycle has been extraordinary, marked by fragmentation, volatility, multi-party competition, and record-breaking results.
'Hunkering Down' as Labour Faces Historic Losses
Specific election outcomes illustrate the broader challenges facing Labour.
The Labour leader of Camden Council in north London lost to the Greens, although Labour retained control of the council.
The Conservatives lost ground to Reform in Essex, in the constituency of Kemi Badenoch.
In Kirklees, West Yorkshire, local leaders from the three largest Westminster parties all lost their seats on the same council.
Labour had been winning elections in Wales for decades until this recent defeat.
Sir Steve Houghton, who led Barnsley Council since the era of Prime Minister John Major, was also unseated.
The Scottish National Party continues to win devolved elections in Scotland consecutively, maintaining their strong position.
Labour suffered significant losses while the Conservatives became a secondary factor in these elections.
Currently, the prime minister is reported to be "hunkering down" at Number 10.
Sir Keir plans to deliver a major speech and introduce a new legislative programme next week; even some of his supporters acknowledge that the reception of this initiative could influence the duration of his tenure as prime minister.
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