TOP Labour ministers are at odds after one of Keir Starmer’s staunchest loyalists demanded a General Election in the event the Prime Minister steps down.
Home Office minister Mike Tapp sparked controversy on Sunday evening, before Starmer announced his resignation, when he called for a new law to require an election if the PM quits.
He said: “If a change of leader is forced by its own Party then a General Election must be called.
“That would stop the constant churn and focus all politicians on delivery, instead of work place politics. These endless ‘house of cards’ games would end and the country would benefit. Let’s legislate to focus minds.”
It would be a major constitutional change because historically, the role of prime minister is filled by the person who commands the support of a majority of MPs rather than the personal mandate enjoyed, for example, under the US presidential model.
Tapp’s demand earnt him a rebuke from Energy Minister Michael Shanks, who invoked the figure of Walter Bagehot, author of The English Constitution, one of the standard works on the workings of Westminster politics.
Shanks said: “Where’s Bagehot when you need him. We elect a Parliament and whoever commands a majority within that Parliament is Prime Minister.
“Let’s use parliamentary time to improve the country.”
So far, only Reform UK have called for a General Election and the prospect of one seems unlikely.
