Labour MPs Demand Timetable for Starmer's Departure
More than 60 Labour MPs, including supporters of leadership contenders Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting, have called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to establish a timetable for his departure. MPs from various factions within the party expressed doubts about Starmer's ability to lead the country into the next general election.
Earlier on Monday, Starmer delivered a speech affirming his intention to remain in office and counter his critics. He emphasized the threat posed by Reform UK and declared his commitment to fight any leadership challenge, stating he would not abandon his duties as prime minister.
Labour was facing “very dangerous opponents” in Reform UK.
Despite this, the speech did not halt the ongoing calls from MPs for Starmer to announce an orderly transition plan.
Calls for Leadership Transition Grow
Catherine West, who had previously indicated she might challenge Starmer if no alternative candidate emerged, announced she would not stand but would instead gather support from MPs advocating for the prime minister's resignation.
At midday, Chris Curtis, co-chair of the Labour Growth Group and formerly considered a Starmer loyalist, stated that Starmer was unable to deliver the necessary change for the country. Curtis said:
“I therefore think it’s time for us to look for new leadership. And I think what that means is the prime minister rightly now setting out a timetable and an orderly process for a leadership election, and one in which Labour has a discussion about the vision for the country and what changes we think are needed in order to face the very real challenges that Britain currently faces.”
Curtis is known to be close to Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who has also called for the prime minister to step down. Other MPs joining the call include Scottish Labour MP Alan Gemmell and Streeting’s constituency neighbor Jas Athwal.
“Even in places like Redbridge, where we held up better in the locals, the message from voters was clear: the prime minister has lost the confidence of the country,”
Athwal added:
“Today’s speech failed to show he can regain that trust or lead us through the huge challenges we face at home and abroad.”
Despite these calls, allies of Streeting have stated he has no plans to speak publicly on Monday and reaffirmed his support for Starmer.
Dozens of MPs backing Andy Burnham have also advocated for an orderly leadership transition, allowing the Greater Manchester mayor time to seek a parliamentary seat.
Local Election Results Fuel Discontent
MPs frequently cited the impact of Starmer’s personal unpopularity on recent local election outcomes. Lorraine Beavers, MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood, warned:
“Without a massive change in approach, when elections are held in my corner of Lancashire next year, voters will send the same message with even greater force.”
Birmingham Erdington MP Paulette Hamilton shared similar concerns:
“On the doorstep, voters repeatedly told us the same thing, national issues and the party leadership meant they could no longer vote Labour.”
Later in the day, three junior frontbenchers, all parliamentary private secretaries, joined the calls for Starmer to resign. These included Joe Morris, PPS to Wes Streeting, Sally Jameson from the Home Office, and Tom Rutland from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
Additional MPs calling for Starmer’s departure include members of the 2024 intake such as David Smith, Luke Myer, Markus Campbell-Savours, Tony Vaughan, Fred Thomas, and Sarah Smith, as well as former ministers Catherine McKinnell and Justin Madders.
Concerns Over Potential Chaos and Political Risks
Conversely, some MPs expressed apprehension that a change in prime minister could lead to instability amid economic challenges and potentially benefit Nigel Farage. Welwyn Hatfield MP Andrew Lewin wrote on his Substack:
“I have learnt enough to identify a trap and not to walk straight into it. If we grant Farage his wish today, it would not only be a win for our opponents, it would do lasting damage to both the country and the Labour party’s reputation for being able to govern.”
