A London MP has spoken out after her name was included without her consent on a list of more than 100 parliamentarians backing Sir Keir Starmer staying Prime Minister.
Ealing Central and Acton Labour Rupa Huq has not publicly declared her views on whether Sir Keir should remain in No10.
“Surprised to see my name on this list when I haven’t either signed any letter supporting the PM or called for the PM to go?? “ she posted on X.
“Not very courteous of colleagues to put names down without their approval.”
Two other MPs are believed to have had their name put on the letter without them signing it.
Surprised to see my name on this list when I haven’t either signed any letter supporting the PM or called for the PM to go??
— Rupa Huq MP (@RupaHuq) May 12, 2026
Not very courteous of colleagues to put names down without their approval https://t.co/2TofoVdfKb
The letter, signed by more than 100 Labour backbench MPs, is seen to have been key in Sir Keir’s fightback against moves to oust him from No10.
Four ministers have resigned, more than 90 MPs are saying he should go and Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who is expected to challenge for the leadership if there is a contest, had a showdown meeting with the PM on Wednesday morning in No10.
London MPs who signed the pro-Starmer letter include Calvin Bailey (Leyton and Wanstead), Rachel Blake (Cities of London and Westminster), Ruth Cadbury (Brentford and Isleworth) Bambos Charalambous (Southgate and Wood Green), Liam Conlon (Beckenham and Penge), Ben Coleman (Chelsea and Fulham) and Neil Coyle (Bermondsey and Old Southwark).
Ms Blake stressed: “The Prime Minister has set out the scale of the challenge ahead and bold actions to take on those challenges.
“We should support the Prime Minister to deliver for the country and not turn on ourselves.”
Eltham and Chislehurst MP Clive Efford has also put his name to the letter, as has Abena Oppong-Asare (Erith and Thamesmead), David Pinto-Duschinsky (Hendon), Joe Powell (Kensington and Bayswater), Tulip Siddiq (Hampstead and Highgate) and Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith and Chiswick).
Mr Pinto-Duschinsky said: “The country wants us to focus on delivering. That must be our overwhelming priority.
“We can’t allow leadership speculation to distract or divert us.”
While at least 13 London Labour backbenchers have rallied to support the PM, a significant number of other MPs in the capital are urging him to stand down.
They include Hornsey and Friern Barnet MP Catherine West who sparked the leadership furore on Saturday by saying she would seek to trigger a contest.
After Labour’s May 7 election disaster, she stressed: “The results last Thursday show that the Prime Minister has failed to inspire hope.
“What is best for the party and country now is for an orderly transition.”
Peckham MP Miatta Fahnbulleh was the first minister to resign.
Quitting her faith minister role, she urged the Prime Minister “to do the right thing for the country and the party and set a timetable for an orderly transition”.
Former shadow Chancellor John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington, has been pushing for a contest which could see Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham stand as a candidate.
”What’s happening in Labour Party: 1. Keir desperately trying to cling on. 2.Many MPs in shock & realising no chance in election if he stays. 3.Need for stability & so calls for real discussion & as smooth a transfer to new leader as possible. 4.Factions also considering coup,” he posted on X.
Clapham and Brixton Hill MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy has said that ‘it’s clear the Prime Minister doesn't have a credible plan to turn this around. I've called on him to set out a timetable for departure”.
West Ham and Becton MP James Asser has stressed that he does not believe Sir Keir can offer the necessary “leadership and vision for the future”.
But Communities Secretary Steve Reed, MP for Streatham and Croydon North, has told of the chaos of a leadership change, saying: “This is not a game. This instability has consequences for people’s lives.”
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, MP for Tottenham, has warned that “navel-gazing” within Labour will benefit Nigel Farage and Reform UK.
