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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Politics
Tom Place,Nicholas Cecil,Rachael Burford,Matt Watts and Megan Howe

London politics LIVE: Minister QUITS as Keir Starmer's grip on power slips amid Cabinet showdown

Sir Keir Starmer Megan Howe London Angela Rayner Matt Watts the Labour party David Lammy Florence Eshalomi Gordon McKee Mary Kelly Foy

Peckham MP Miatta Fahnbulleh has quit as a Government minister, plunging Sir Keir Starmer's premership into deeper crisis.

She became the first minister to resign.

The Minister for Devolution, Faith & Communities posted on X: “This morning I sent my letter of resignation to the Prime Minister."I urge the Prime Minister to do the right thing for the country and the Party and set a timetable for an orderly transition.”

Sr Keir was said to be “deciding” whether to resign or fight on as he held an extraordinary Cabinet meeting this morning with senior ministers reportedly urging him to quit.

In a sign of the scale of the crisis facing the Prime Minister, Chief Secretary to No10 Darren Jones declined to say that Sir Keir should carry on at the helm.

"I'm not going to get ahead of the Prime Minister's decision,” he told Times Radio.

Sir Keir has so far battled on in No10 but Westminster was gripped with speculation that he might soon depart.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is said to have privately called for an orderly transition of power as 75 out of Labour’s 403 MPs demanded the PM stand down after the party’s electoral mauling last week.

Follow the latest updates below...

Key Points

  • London MP becomes first minister to quit Starmer's government
  • Cabinet members join over 70 Labour MPs calling for Starmer to quit
  • Starmer 'deciding' whether to quit as Prime Minister, signals Cabinet minister
  • Streeting accused of launching 'coup' against PM
  • 80 MPs have signed letter calling for Starmer to go
  • UK long-term borrowing costs surge higher

Another Labour MP calls for Starmer to go

09:41 , Tom Place

Paul Foster, MP for South Ribble in Lancashire, has become the latest Labour MP to urge Sir Keir Starmer to resign.

Labour MP Paul Foster (X)

In a post on X, Mr Foster said: “Unfortunately, after much reflection, the Prime Minister’s speech yesterday did little to reassure me that he has the vision needed to reconnect with the country and rebuild public confidence under his leadership.

“We need a leader with the vision to take us into the next chapter; someone who can rebuild trust, reconnect with communities across the country and provide the sense of optimism and hope that people are crying out for, while delivering the change we promised in our manifesto.

“It pains me to say this because I am a loyal person by nature, and I do not come to this conclusion lightly. But it is with great regret that I believe the party now needs a change of direction and, ultimately, a new leader.”

Streeting arrives in Downing Street

09:32 , Tom Place

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has arrived at Number 10, glancing over at reporters but failing to respond as questions were shouted by journalists.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting arrives for a Cabinet meeting in Downing Street (PA)

Streeting has been accused by former shadow chancellor John McDonnell of launching a “coup” against Sir Keir Starmer, with a number of ministerial aides seen as allies of Streeting stepping down.

London MP becomes first minister to quit Starmer's government as grip on power slips

09:27 , Tom Place

London MP Miatta Fahnbulleh has resigned as faith and communities minister and called for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to quit, plunging his premiership into deeper crisis.

The new comes after four aides to ministers resigned their posts last night - but Ms Fahnbulleh is the first junior minister to resign.

Labour MP Miatta Fahnbulleh (Local Library)

In a letter to Sir Keir Starmer, the MP for Peckham said that while she is proud of what the government has done, "we have not acted with the vision, pace and ambition that our mandate for change demands of us".

She urged the Prime Minister to “do the right thing for the country and the Party and set a timetable for an orderly transition.”

Streeting accused of launching 'coup' against PM

09:20 , Tom Place

Health Secretary Wes Streeting has been accused by a senior London MP of launching a “coup” against Sir Keir Starmer, with the Prime Minister fighting for his political life.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting (PA)

Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell hit out at Mr Streeting, arguing he was moving against the PM now to avoid a leadership contest which could include Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

You can read the full story from The Standard’s chief reporter Nicholas Cecil here.

Jones arrives ahead of cabinet meeting

09:14 , Tom Place

Chief secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones and Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander has both also arrived at Number 10.

Mr Jones looked over at the dozens of members of press gathered as he walked into 10 Downing Street, but did not respond to questions shouted from the other side of the street.

Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones arrives in Downing Street ahead of a Cabinet meeting due to take place today (PA)

Video: Lammy arrives in Downing Street

09:10 , Tom Place

McDonnell slams Streeting 'coup' as 'gift to Reform'

08:58 , Tom Place

Former Labour shadow chancellor John McDonnell has accused Health Secretary Wes Streeting of launching a coup against Sir Keir Starmer.

Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell (Beresford Hodge/PA) (PA Archive)

Writing on X, Mr McDonnell said: “I called for time for serious discussion, no precipitous coup & fully democratic process if leadership election.

“Instead Wes Streeting has launched coup for fear of a democratic process & whilst candidates are blocked. Handing leadership to Mandelson’s protege is gift to Reform.”

Lammy arrives ahead of crunch meeting

08:54 , Tom Place

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy waved at reporters as he arrived in Downing Street just now.

He did not answer questions from journalists as he got out of a car, walking down the street and into No10.

Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy arrives in Downing Street (PA)

UK long-term borrowing costs surge higher as Starmer’s leadership comes under increasing pressure

08:44 , Tom Place

UK long-term borrowing costs have surged higher as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership comes under increasing pressure.

The yield on 30-year UK Government bonds jumped as much as 11 basis points to 5.785% in Tuesday-morning trading, edging back up to within touching distance of the 28-year high recorded last week.

The yield on 10-year gilts also rose back above 5%, lifting by 10 basis points to 5.101%, but remains below recent highs reported last month.

Gilt yields move counter to the value of the bonds, meaning their prices fall when yields rise. Rising yields on these bonds mean it costs more for governments to borrow from financial markets.

The pound also weakened further, while stocks on the London market dropped sharply on rising oil prices with the US remaining in deadlock with Iran over a resolution to end the conflict.

Sterling fell 0.5% to 1.35 US dollars and was 0.2% lower at 1.15 euro.

The FTSE 100 Index dropped more than 1% in opening trade, later settling 95.57 points lower at 10173.86.

The cost of crude continued to edge back up, standing 2% higher at 106.53 US dollars a barrel.

Darren Jones derides 'fantasy politics'

08:38 , Tom Place

More from Darren Jones this morning.

He told BBC Breakfast that he does not know what conversations Sir Keir Starmer has had with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, following reports that she privately called for an orderly transition of power.

The PM’s chief secretary said “I don’t know what conversation the Home Secretary has or hasn’t had with the Prime Minister … if I did, I wouldn’t be commenting on private conversations.”

He said he still thinks Labour can win the next election “by being on the side of the British people”.

Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones (Getty)

Mr Jones also said “there’s a lot of fantasy politics going on” when asked about the possibility of Andy Burnham returning to the Cabinet.

When asked if he could foresee a recognition that Cabinet could benefit from someone “with a lot of electoral support” like the Greater Manchester mayor, he said: “There’s a lot of fantasy politics going on at the moment, Keir Starmer won a historic majority less than two years ago at the ballot box alongside all of us in the Labour Party.”

He said that he spoke to the Sir Keir on Monday night, adding that being Prime Minister “is a gruelling job” and “our job in Cabinet is to support the Prime Minister to deliver on his ambitions for the country, but also to enable him to do his job as well as possible”.

Reeves arrives at Downing Street

08:29 , Tom Place

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has arrived in Downing Street ahead of this morning’s cabinet meeting, not responding to questions from reporters as she entered No11.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves arrives in Downing Street (PA)

King's Speech still going ahead

08:27 , Tom Place

Chief secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones has said the King’s Speech is still going ahead on Wednesday as far as he is aware.

Mr Jones told Sky News: “We’ve been working very hard to bring together a programme of Bills for the next session that meet the challenges that we face as a country and it’s important that we get on with that work.”

More Labour MPs back Starmer

08:20 , Tom Place

Ahead of the crunch cabinet meeting this morning, a number of MPs have come out with support for Prime Minister Keir Starmer in posts on X.

Bermondsey & Old Southwark Neil Coyle posted on X: "Horrified at the elephant trap colleagues are falling into. Those who claimed council elections were about Keir had nothing to offer local communities.

"Infighting/chaos will destabilise the party & country at a crucial time. The outcome might also be worse. I despair."

Labour MP Neil Coyle (Parliament UK)

MP for Dartford Jim Dickson wrote: “With a Middle East peace still not in sight and the world economy taking a big hit this is the time for careful UK economic stewardship not political instability.

“A united government is needed more than ever to get family finances and public services through these uncertain times! I say strongly to colleagues let’s get on with the job.”

And Ipswich MP Jack Abbott wrote: “We should learn the lessons from the last Conservative Government to see what happens when you have a merry-go-round of Prime Ministers and ministers.

“You turn inward and lose the ability to govern. People feel the impact of that in their pockets and in their public services.”

Labour MP Jack Abbott (X)

Jones: Starmer will talk to Cabinet about the 'issues that they have raised'

08:11 , Tom Place

Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones is continuing to do the media round this morning, and told Sky News that Sir Keir Starmer would be talking to colleagues “about the issues” they have raised.

He added, however, that he was “not going to get ahead of any decision the Prime Minister may or may not take in the future”.

Mr Jones said: “We’re going to be talking about the ongoing situation in Iran and the Middle East, and our efforts to mitigate the impacts of that on British businesses and British people over the months ahead.

“He obviously will be in conversations with colleagues because of the issues that they have raised, but he was very clear with himself and with all of us that this morning we would be getting on with the job, and I think that’s the right thing to be doing.”

He continued: “Obviously, colleagues are asking the Prime Minister to consider different options in the future.

“And, as I say, he rightfully is listening to them. It would be wrong if he wasn’t listening to them.

“What you’ve asked me is a couple of different scenarios into the future, which are evidently all hypothetical at this stage.”

Labour MP urges his party to avoid 'Westminster chaos'

08:00 , Tom Place

Gedling MP Michael Payne has backed Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urging his party to avoid the “chaos” of previous governments.

Labour MP Michael Payne (X)

Mr Payne posted on X, saying: "People are crying out for change - not more Westminster chaos. The PM understands the scale of the challenge & the urgency to act.

"The worst thing Labour could do is imitate the disorder, dysfunction & chaos of the Conservatives. That would only strengthen Reform & Farage."

Yuan Yang calls for Starmer to step aside

07:48 , Tom Place

Labour MP Yuan Yang has told Radio 4's Today programme that it's time the Prime Minister steps aside,

She said that she no longer believes Sir Keir Starmer can lead the party into the next election, which is due by 2029, adding that she's spoken to many people in her constituency who are unhappy with Labour’s leadership.

Labour MP Yuan Yang (PA Media)

Ms Yang said: “A significant number of backbenchers, like myself, and also parliamentary secretaries have expressed their positions publicly. And there are many more who've expressed them privately, who I know of.”

Speaking about a potential PM resignation and leadership contest, she added: “I'd like to see contestants set out their platforms and I'd like to see the prime minister taking control of the situation by setting out an orderly timetable.”

Starmer 'deciding' whether to quit as Prime Minister, signals Cabinet minister

07:40 , Tom Place

Sir Keir Starmer is “deciding” whether to seek to fight on as Prime Minister or quit, a key Cabinet ally has signalled.

Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the PM, also declined to say that Sir Keir should remain Prime Minister.

In a sign that he wants to try to battle his way through a huge Labour revolt, with more than 70 MPs saying he should go, Sir Keir appointed a handful of new parliamentary aides on Monday night to replace those who had quit.

But he faces a showdown Cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning.

Chief Secretary to the PM Darren Jones (PA Media)

Asked if Sir Keir's position was "sustainable" until the next general election, expected in 2029, Mr Jones told Times Radio: "Well, look, the Prime Minister is talking to colleagues. Obviously, a number of them have said publicly yesterday that they want him to take a particular course of action.

"He's talking and listening to those colleagues."

Pressed whether he was considering setting out a timetable to step down before the next election, Mr Jones added: "He's listening to colleagues, and he's talking to colleagues. I can't get ahead of any decision he may or may not take.

"But as ministers, we're very clear that we're going into the office today to get on with the job."

Asked as a minister, if he thought the PM should be staying?

"I'm not going to get ahead of the Prime Minister's decision,” he responded.

Streeting could launch leadership bid today

07:34 , Tom Place

Speculation is mounting that Health Secretary Wes Streeting could launch a leadership bid today.

It comes after several of his allies quit the government on Monday and called for the prime minister to resign.

These include Mr Streeting’s parliamentary private secretary Joe Morris, as well as Sally Jamieson, Melanie Ward and Tom Rutland, who resigned from junior positions and called for the Prime Minister to step aside.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting (PA)

The pressure is mounting on Sir Keir Starmer to resign or set out a timeline for his departure, with more than 70 Labour MPs now calling for a change of leadership.

Mr Streeting’s camp has remained silent, but Labour sources told The Independent that the health secretary is expected to launch a challenge to Sir Keir today.

Kinnock: Cabinet 'may well' tell Starmer to resign

07:23 , Tom Place

Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock has said that members of Sir Keir Starmer’s cabinet “may well” tell him to resign today.

Appearing on Newsnight on Monday evening, Mr Kinnock said “It is clear for everybody to see that a lot of people are either coming out and calling for Keir to resign or whatever it might be, and it is possible that members of the Cabinet might do that.”

Stephen Kinnock (PA Archive)

Polanski apologises over houseboat council tax 'mistake'

07:14 , Tom Place

Elsewhere in politics, Green Party leader Zack Polanski has admitted he may have failed to pay the correct council tax while living on a London house boat.

Green Party leader Zack Polanski (PA)

Mr Polanski had faced mounting questions over whether the houseboat, moored in Hackney, was his primary residence.

You can read the full story here.

80 MPs have signed letter calling for Starmer to go

07:04 , Tom Place

According to the Press Association, 80 MPs have now signed Catherine West’s letter calling for Sir Keir Starmer to set out a timetable for his departure,

Most of these have publicly called for the Prime Minister to stand down, it is understood.

A reminder that any leadership challenger would need the support of 81 people, or 20% of Labour MPs, to trigger a leadership contest.

Labour MP: Starmer has 'never been an electoral asset'

07:02 , Tom Place

Jonathan Hinder, Labour MP for Pendle and Clitheroe, is the latest MP to call for Sir Keir Starmer’s resignation, stating that the Prime Minister “has never been an electoral asset”.

Speaking on BBC’s Newsnight, Mr Hinder said: “The blunt reality is, and every single Labour MP will tell you this, he has never been an electoral asset.

“Our best electoral asset was the unpopularity of the Conservatives and the fact that Reform split their vote and that is why I’m sat here today, most of all, but I don’t underestimate the amount of work he did.

Labour MP Jonathan Hinder (X)

“I think he’s in it for the right reasons. I know his team worked incredibly hard, like we all did, to get us here, but we have to face the facts now.”

He added: “We need a new leader for the Labour Party and our country, most importantly, needs a new leader.”

Cabinet members join over 70 Labour MPs calling for Starmer to quit

06:57 , Tom Place

Sir Keir Starmer is set to face the biggest challenge of his leadership so far, with a crunch cabinet meeting this morning.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is among more than 70 Labour MPs who have called for the Prime Minister to either resign immediately or set out a timetable to stand down.

MPs have called for the Prime Minister to go (Maja Smiejkowska/PA) (PA Wire)

Six ministerial aides have also been stood down by No10, including allies of Health Secretary Wes Streeting, with a leadership battle brewing.

Cabinet ministers are expected to tell Starmer at cabinet on Tuesday that he needs to stand down amid concerns that his position is now unsustainable.

You can read the full story here.

Good morning

06:52 , Tom place

We are resuming our live politics coverage, with Sir Keir Starmer facing the biggest challenge of his premiership so far.

Over 75 Labour MPs, including home secretary Shabana Mahmood, have called for the Prime Minister to step aside.

We will bring you all the latest developments and reactions here.

Starmer on brink: Full-scale Labour civil war explodes as Streeting allies join over 75 MPs calling for PM to quit

Monday 11 May 2026 22:42 , Megan Howe

Sir Keir Starmer is fighting for his political life after over 75 of his MPs demanded he quit in the wake of Labour’s disastrous local election results.

Senior cabinet ministers including home secretary Shabana Mahmood reportedly told the Prime Minister he should consider his position after he failed to quell a revolt by Labour MPs with a keynote speech.

The Standard’s live coverage will resume tomorrow, but here’s our recap of the current leadership crisis in No.10.

Starmer on brink: Labour civil war explodes as over 75 MPs demand PM quit

Coverage ends for the day

Monday 11 May 2026 22:40 , Megan Howe

Our coverage on the government leadership crisis has ended for today.

As a quick recap, Sir Keir Starmer faces growing calls to resign from over 70 Labour MPs and counting, as they claim his position has become unsustainable.

Join us tomorrow as our coverage resumes.

Former government aide calls for PM to resign

Monday 11 May 2026 22:32 , Megan Howe

Gordon McKee, Labour MP for Glasgow South said “it’s clear that the Prime Minister no longer has the trust or confidence of the public, or large swathes of the Parliamentary Labour Party”.

He said if his party did not change then “the outcome could be Nigel Farage in Downing Street and all of the disastrous consequences that would have”.

Mr McKee said: “I’m deeply sad that we’re in this position and proud of what Keir Starmer achieved reforming the Labour Party.

“However, the message in Glasgow and across the country in last week’s elections was clear; the Prime Minister has lost the confidence of the public

“Last week, I watched my friend Anas Sarwar face defeat in the Scottish Parliament election, meaning five more years of an SNP Government.

“Our country faces enormous challenges and we need a Labour government that can deliver the scale of change that this requires

“If we don’t change, the outcome could be Nigel Farage in Downing Street and all of the disastrous consequences that would have.

“It’s clear that the Prime Minister no longer has the trust or confidence of the public, or large swathes of the Parliamentary Labour Party, to lead this change, and he should resign to bring this to an end.”

New parliamentary aides selected

Monday 11 May 2026 22:15 , Megan Howe

Labour MPs David Burton-Sampson, Linsey Farnsworth, Jayne Kirkham, Michael Payne, Tim Roca and Sean Woodcock have been made parliamentary private secretaries after the resignation of Government aides calling for Sir Keir Starmer to stand down.

Five parliamentary aides stood down earlier today.

Labour MP for Glasgow North joins growing calls for PM to resign

Monday 11 May 2026 21:42 , Megan Howe

Maureen Burke, the Labour MP for Glasgow North East, has joined the growing number of discontented MPs calling for Sir Keir Starmer to step down, saying her party is “bigger than one person”.

In a statement posted on X on Monday evening, she said: “When I see communities like mine, in Glasgow North East, turn against the Labour Party in such numbers, we must seek to understand why and refocus our efforts to win back their trust.

“Despite two decades of SNP failure, people were reluctant to give Labour a hearing and told me that they could not, in good faith, vote Labour while Keir Starmer is Prime Minister.

“Our party owes Keir a debt of gratitude for his leadership, but we are bigger than one person.

“With a heavy heart, I am calling on the Prime Minister to set out a timetable for his departure and for our party to have a period of reflection with any and all candidates willing to have the chance to put themselves forward.”

Senior cabinet ministers call for PM to resign, according to reports

Monday 11 May 2026 21:22 , Megan Howe

Sir Keir Starmer has been told by senior cabinet ministers to consider setting out a timeline for his departure after more than 70 Labour MPs called for him to go.

The PM has been told by at least three ministers, including Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, that he should consider his position, according to The Times.

Cabinet ministers are expected to tell Starmer at cabinet on Tuesday that he needs to stand down amid concerns that his position is now unsustainable.

Labour MP expresses her frustration with funny meme

Monday 11 May 2026 20:48 , Megan Howe

Labour MP for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green Florence Eshalomi has shared her current mood on X.

Mary Kelly Foy MP calls for PM to resign

Monday 11 May 2026 20:42 , Megan Howe

“I know I might disappoint some Labour members by saying this, but we’ve reached an existential crisis,” she wrote.

“Labour lies on its death bed - with the only realistic cure being a change in direction.”

Over 70 MPs have called for Starmer to resign

Monday 11 May 2026 20:39 , Megan Howe

More than 70 MPs have called for Starmer to resign, including five Parliamentary Private Secretaries.

'Calm down' Starmer loyalist tells rebels

Monday 11 May 2026 20:21 , Matt Watts

Birmingham MP Preet Kaur Gill has said Labour MPs should “calm down” amid the growing calls for Sir Keir Starmer to quit.

She said Labour criticised the Tories for the “chaos and division” their internal fighting caused the country as they went through multiple prime ministers.

“People are angry and hurt, yes”, she writes on X “But turning inwards helps nobody. We have a King’s Speech in two days. Calm down, unite, and get on with the job. “

PPS for David Lammy resigns and calls for Starmer to go in fresh blow for PM

Monday 11 May 2026 20:16 , Matt Watts

Melanie Ward has resigned as parliamentary private secretary to David Lammy and called for Sir Keir Starmer to resign as Labour leader.

She is the fourth Government aide to quit this evening and demand the Prime Minister go.

The MP for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy, said in a statement on X that the election result in Scotland was “extremely disappointing” and that she was resigning as parliamentary private secretary to the deputy prime minister.

“The election result in Scotland last week was extremely disappointing, especially given the terrible record of the SNP,” Ms Ward said.

“So many or my constituents told me that they could not vote Labour as long as Keir Starmer remains Prime Minister. Their anger at early errors like changes to the winter fuel payment remains palpable. Mistakes on moral issues like Gaza have also not been forgotten by the wider public.

“Keir Starmer did important work to change the Labour Party, and governing in a time like this will never be easy. But the message from last week’s elections was clear; the Prime Minister has lost the confidence of the public.

“Our country faces enormous challenges and we need a Labour government that can deliver the scale of change that this requires. It is clear that the Prime Minister no longer has the trust or confidence of the public to lead this change.

“It is for this reason that I am today resigning as a PPS and calling for Keir Starmer to resign as Leader of the Labour Party and set out a rapid process for the election of a new Leader and Prime Minister.”

Labour Party chair supports Starmer in boost for Prime Minister

Monday 11 May 2026 20:11 , Matt Watts

The Labour Party Chair Anna Turley has defended Sir Keir Starmer saying “this moment isn’t about giving up, its about stepping up.”

Her support has signalled a fightback from allies of the Prime Minister, with a number of MPs starting to post their support for him,

Another Labour MP demands Starmer quit

Monday 11 May 2026 20:01 , Matt Watts

Labour MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth Rachel Taylor has joined the calls for Keir Starmer to go.

She said in the Prime Minister’s speech this morning she didn’t think “he spoke clearly enough about the change my constituents need to feel.”

She said speaking to people in her community “they are clear there have been too many mistakes, and too many times when it doesn’t feel like the Prime Minister is on their side”.

Housing secretary says '90% of us' don't want Starmer to go

Monday 11 May 2026 19:53 , Matt Watts

Housing secretary Steve Reed has defended the Prime Minister in the face of growing numbers of Labour MPs calling for him to quit, saying ‘90% of us” don’t want Sir Keir Starmer to go.

"We want to focus on what the public want... not talking to ourselves" about a new leader, he said.

The Streatham and Croydon North MP said the Conservatives "showed us why this doesn't work - they went through prime minister after prime minister" after bad polls and elections.

He said the government accepted change was needed but it didn't help to "chuck out" prime ministers.

Steve Reed has said Labour should not ‘chuck out’ the Prime Minister (PA Wire)

Natasha Irons MP says she 'stands by' leaked messages

Monday 11 May 2026 19:33 , Megan Howe

Natasha Irons MP has responded to leaked WhatsApp messages from 2024 which appear to show her and other Labour MPs rowing over whether to challenge Starmer.

The messages were published as an exclusive in The Times.

Natasha Irons can be seen saying: "Bottom line, changing leader because Nigel Farage has forced us to is not something any of us can come back from. Anyone who thinks we can needs to wake up."

Peter Lamb responds with: "Anyone who thinks this is sustainable needs an MRI."

Laurence Turner says: "We get enough insults on our socials. Let's leave them out here."

Responding to the leaked messages, The MP for Croydon East said: “I’m not one for publicly sniping at each other but seeing as that’s been taken out of my hands…I stand by this.”

Leaked WhatsApp messages show MPs discussing whether to challenge Starmer in 2024

Monday 11 May 2026 19:24 , Megan Howe

An exclusive in The Times revealed leaked WhatsApp messages from 2024 of a row breaking out amongst Labour MPs over whether to challenge Starmer.

An extract was published on X by the newspaper’s chief political correspondent.

Sam Carling MP joins calls for Starmer to resign

Monday 11 May 2026 19:16 , Megan Howe

Parliamentary private secretary to the Cabinet resigns

Monday 11 May 2026 19:01 , Megan Howe

Naushabah Khan, the MP for Gillingham and Rainham called for “new leadership, so that we can rebuild trust and deliver the better future that the British people voted for”.

She wrote in a post on X: “The message from last week’s elections was clear: the Prime Minister has lost the confidence of the public.

“Since being elected to serve the people of Gillingham & Rainham, I have always and will always put the interests of my constituents and our country first. It is with that commitment in mind that I have taken the difficult decision to resign my role as Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to the Cabinet Office.

“Our country faces unprecedented challenges. The people of Gillingham & Rainham and the country deserve leadership that can deliver on scale. I did not enter politics to stand by while we fail.

“We need a clear change of direction now and no game playing. A Labour Government can and will rise to meet the moment if we act now.

“I am calling for new leadership, so that we can rebuild trust and deliver the better future that the British people voted for.”

Wes Streeting's aide's resignation statement in full

Monday 11 May 2026 18:44 , Megan Howe

Joe Morris has resigned as a ministerial aide to Wes Streeting, who is widely seen as a potential leadership contender, as he called for Sir Keir Starmer to set out “a swift timetable” to step aside.

In a message posted on social media, he wrote: “The message from last week’s elections was clear: the Prime Minister has lost the confidence of the public.

“Local councillors who have served their communities for decades, as well as first time candidates and the Labour members who campaigned for them, ended up taking the blame for decisions that were not theirs.

“A Reform government would destroy our public services and cripple our economy. It would target the voiceless and the most vulnerable while enriching the very richest. Despite the Prime Minister’s best efforts, voters simply do not accept that he can lead the change they voted for.

“Whether in Northumberland or in Newcastle, constituents need a Labour government in order to reduce the cost of living, to invest in our communities and our infrastructure and to make good on the promises made at the general election.

“I have boundless confidence in the Labour Party and in our ability to rise to this moment. However, regrettably, it is now clear that the Prime Minister no longer has the trust or confidence of the public to lead this change.

“It is in the best interests of the country and the party that the Prime Minister sets out a swift timetable to ensure that a new leader is in place to regain the confidence of the public and to ensure that the government can deliver on the commitments it has made.

“I was elected after 100 years of Conservative MPs treating our area with complacency. My first duty will always be to deliver for communities in my constituency, from Gilsland to Walbottle and from Kielder to Whittonstall.

“Only a strong Labour government, led by strong leadership, can deliver the change our communities deserve.”

Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting has widely been seen as a contender for Starmer’s role as PM (PA)

Halesowen Labour MP Alex Ballenger called for Sir Keir Stamer to be replaced with a “bolder” leader to stop the Far Right taking control in Britain

Monday 11 May 2026 18:42 , Megan Howe

He posted on X: “I like the Prime Minister, he is a good and decent man. But it’s clear from countless doorstep conversations that my constituents have lost confidence in him. Disastrous local election results across the Black Country only confirm this.

“I fear that if we continue on this course we risk handing the country to the far right. For that reason, I support a transition to a new leader, one who will be bolder, and one who can better articulate how Labour is changing our country for the better.”

PPS Sally Jameson says Starmer is man of 'deep integrity' as she calls for him to resign

Monday 11 May 2026 18:36 , Megan Howe

In a statement on Facebook, the PPS to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: “We have three years left of this Parliament to show the British public that we can take on the significant challenges this country faces and be the vehicle for change that so many are asking for.

“If we squander the time we have the British people will not forget.”

Another Parliament Private Secretary has resigned

Monday 11 May 2026 18:29 , Megan Howe

Another Parliamentary Private Secretary has resigned, according to reports.

Sometimes known as ‘bag carriers’, PPS’ act as the eyes and ears for government ministers.

Joe Morris, Wes Streeting's PPS, is resigning.

Sally Jameson, PPS to Shabana Mahmood, has also called for Starmer to resign, though it is not clear whether she has resigned.

It comes after Tom Rutland, who is PPS to Emma Reynolds, also resigned and called for Starmer to go.

Junior member of government calls for Starmer to quit

Monday 11 May 2026 18:21 , Megan Howe

The first member of government has called for Starmer to stand down as PM.

The junior member has also resigned from his position, it has been revealed.

Tom Rutland, who is a Parliamentary Private Secretary (PPS) to Emma Reynolds, the environment secretary took to X

Rutland wrote on X: "It is with regret that I believe the prime minister should now set out a timetable for his departure and for a new leader to be chosen to lead the Labour Party and the country".

Number of MPs calling for Starmer to resign reaches 60

Monday 11 May 2026 18:06 , Megan Howe

A total of 60 MPs have called for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to resign.

MPs from across the country have urged the PM to set out a timetable for his departure, so that the transition can run smoothly.

While many acknowledged the work done by the PM to lead the Labour party to victory in 2024, they believe the time has come for him to step down.

Gower Labour MP Tonia Antoniazzi calls for Sir Keir Starmer to 'step aside in an orderly manner'

Monday 11 May 2026 17:56 , Megan Howe

She posted on X: "Sir Keir Starmer is a man of great integrity who has led the Labour Party through difficult times.

"There will be those that disagree with me but I think it is genuinely time for him to step aside as PM in an orderly manner."

'The country must come first,' writes MP for Ilford North

Monday 11 May 2026 17:38 , Megan Howe

Jas Athwal has joined the growing number of Labour MPs calling for Keir Starmer to resign.

“Sir Keir Starmer transformed the Labour Party into a serious, electable force, and I voted for him. As Prime Minister, he has made real contributions, and I am grateful for them,” the MP wrote on X.

“However, the country must come first. Millions of working people desperately need a focused Labour government delivering a brighter future.

“Yet we cannot govern effectively when we are constantly distracted by speculation, mistakes and a loss of trust.”

Blackpool North and Fleetwood MP say Keir should go

Monday 11 May 2026 17:25 , Megan Howe

Lorraine Beavers, who represents Blackpool North and Fleetwood, joined the growing number of Labour MPs calling for Sir Keir Starmer to be replaced.

She said: “I wanted to give the Prime Minister the chance to set out that change this morning. It was a passionate speech – passion I wish I’d heard more often from the Prime Minister over the last two years.

“But the content of the speech did not suggest anything close to the scale of change needed to rebuild communities like mine. I believe that the Prime Minister should announce a timetable for leaving office.

“We must have a new leader in place well in advance of next year’s local elections.

“For our Party to rediscover its connection with working-class communities like mine, we need a democratic contest involving the most talented leaders from across our movement."

Sarah Smith MP backs calls for Starmer to resign

Monday 11 May 2026 17:19 , Megan Howe

“Keir Starmer is a good man where others failed, delivering the Labour party to a historic victory in 2024 but I have regretfully concluded that he is unable to lead us into future elections,” the MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden wrote on X.

Starmer speaking on Monday morning (PA Wire)

'I have nothing but respect for Starmer... but we must look to a new leader' says MP Fred Thomas

Monday 11 May 2026 17:08 , Megan Howe

Labour MP for Plymouth Moor View Fred Thomas:"I have nothing but respect for Sir Keir Starmer. He transformed our party and led us to an election victory.

"But sadly it is clear now that to deliver on our promise of change and to secure Britain’s future, we must look to a new leader."

Blue Labour calls for Starmer to 'set out a timetable for his departure'

Monday 11 May 2026 16:44 , Megan Howe

Blue Labour, an internal pressure group, has called for the Prime Minister to set out a timetable for his departure.

The group said in a statement on X: “It’s time for Keir Starmer to set out a timetable for his departure.

“Nothing has convinced us that he is able to rise to the challenge confronting this country.

“As the process unfolds, no candidate should be blocked from standing; the job is too important for factional warfare and NEC machinations.

“Labour must now navigate a very difficult transition to a new prime minister. It must avoid the danger of retreating back into its comfort zone in which it can pretend there are no hard choices and trade-offs in rebuilding the country.

“There is a hard road ahead. The people of our islands are looking for the light at the end of the tunnel.

“The next leader must have a clear programme of government and story to tell the British people about how we will get there.”

Labour MP for Newcastle North joins calls for Starmer to go

Monday 11 May 2026 16:23 , Megan Howe

MP for Newcastle North Catherine McKinnell writes: "It's become clear that it's time for a new leader to take us to the finish line of this term."

In a statement released on X, the MP says it is "vital we see a swift and orderly transition" to get on with delivering the "promise of change".

Labour MP Fred Thomas: 'We must look to a new leader'

Monday 11 May 2026 16:07 , Tom Place

Labour MP and former Royal Marines officer Fred Thomas has joined calls for the Prime Minister to step down.

The Plymouth Moor View MP said in a statement on X he had “nothing but respect for Sir Keir Starmer”, but added: “It is clear now that to deliver on our promise of change and to secure Britain’s future, we must look to a new leader.”

Labour MP Fred Thomas (X)

He said: “I left the Royal Marines to stand in 2024 because I felt Britain desperately needed change.

“But sadly it is unavoidably clear that under current leadership, many people are not feeling that change in their lives.

“Last week we saw countless hardworking, brilliant Labour colleagues lose their seats – in my patch, entirely to Reform UK candidates, including one who is on record making vile antisemitic and Islamophobic comments.

“The Prime Minister was right in his speech today: we do face very dangerous opponents. It is because of that danger that we must change course.”

Sadiq Khan: Elections must be a 'wake up call'

Monday 11 May 2026 15:50 , Tom Place

Sir Sadiq Khan has said he is not calling for the Prime Minister to resign but warned the local elections must be a "wake up call" and the Labour must not "misread" the dire results for the party.

The Mayor of London told the Standard: "I'm not someone calling for a change in leadership.

"I'm calling for and demanding change in the government's delivery being accelerated to show the country, including those in London, what's the government's north star is, what the direction of travel is, how we are going to bring about the change and also not make silly basic mistakes and mishaps."

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan (PA)

He said there was "no sugarcoating" the results of the local elections, in which Labour lost more than 400 London councillors and control of 11 of the capital's town halls.

"Good councillors lost their seats through no fault of their own," Sir Sadiq said.

"Really good Labour councils are no longer Labour through no fault of their own or indeed City Hall.

"But because people are unhappy, disappointed, disillusioned with the Labour government and I think we did a disservice to our great city and to Londoners but also to those across the country who don't recognise that as a party and it has got to be a wake up call.

"People in July 2024 voted for change. People haven't experienced the change they expected in the first two years of the Labour government."

Rayner: Blocking Burnham's by-election bid a 'mistake'

Monday 11 May 2026 15:34 , Tom Place

Earlier today, former deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner spoke at the Communication Workers Union (CWU) conference.

She called the decision to block Andy Burnham's by-election bid a 'mistake'.

You can watch some highlights from her speech here:

Kinnock calls for 'cool heads'

Monday 11 May 2026 15:09 , Tom Place

Neil Kinnock has criticised the Labour MPs who are attempting to remove Sir Keir Starmer, suggested they are “inflicting the worst kind of self-harm”.

The former Labour leader told The Times: “The current conditions are a test of their resistance and realism.

“The departure of Keir Starmer would be seen as abandonment, not just domestically, but internationally.”

Former Labour leader Neil Kinnock (Jane Barlow/PA) (PA Archive)

He added: “Failure to recognise those realities is inflicting the worst kind of self-harm.

“I would say to Labour MPs that cool heads are not dead heads. Cool heads are what we do when we are confronted by national upheaval, which our country can’t afford.”

Nandy backs Starmer

Monday 11 May 2026 14:58 , Tom Place

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has said that if Sir Keir Starmer succeeds, the country succeeds, calling on Labour MPs to unite behind him.

Ms Nandy told BBC Radio 4’s World At One programme: “He knows he’s got doubters, he knows he’s made mistakes, but he’s prepared to pick himself up and fight.

“Now I think, frankly, we owe him, and we owe the country all of our efforts to make sure that he succeeds, because his success is the country’s success.”

Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Lisa Nandy (PA)

Ms Nandy said she was “reeling from from what happened last week and what we’ve been hearing on the doors, but also I do have a renewed sense of determination that, as the Prime Minister said, nobody has the right to walk away from the scale of change that is required”.

She added: “In the end, whether the Prime Minister stays in post for during this Parliament is up to him, and it’s up to Labour MPs. And he knew today that he had to give Labour MPs the confidence that he can turn this situation around, and that he had to give the country confidence that he was the person to do it.

“It was a very personal account, he only gave it a couple of hours ago. And I think we now all need to pick ourselves up and rise to meet this moment. Strong, united teams change countries, individuals alone never do.”

50 MPs now calling on Starmer to go

Monday 11 May 2026 14:50 , Tom Place

There are now over 50 Labour MPs calling for Sir Keir Starmer to step aside.

Shipley Labour MP Anna Dixon said: "I am going to add my name to the list that says, basically, I don't believe that the public any longer have confidence that the Prime Minister can take us successfully into the next set of elections.

"She added: "We are in a position now where we do need to stop, though, descending into a chaotic leadership contest.

"But I do think that, you know the Prime Minister, he's a good man. We are in a situation where there is uncertainty internationally, but I do think that he needs to take control of this and recognize and plan for an orderly transition in our leadership."

Jon Trickett MP, the veteran Leftwing Labour MP for Normanton and Hemsworth posted on X: "I was not convinced by the PM’s speech.

"Neither were people I spoke to. He needs to go and set a timetable and set of rules which allows all wings of party to field a candidate."

Starmer fighting for his life as Catherine West leads moves to oust him

Monday 11 May 2026 14:34 , Tom Place

Sir Keir Starmer is fighting for his political life after failing to quell a revolt by Labour MPs with a keynote speech.

London MP Catherine West, who is leading moves to force Sir Keir to stand down, was on Monday emailing Labour colleagues to see if they will back her demand for the PM to set a timetable for the election of a new leader in September.

Labour MP Catherine West (X)

She shied away from seeking to trigger an immediate leadership contest now, as threatened over the weekend, by getting 81 MPs to back such a step.

But she said Sir Keir’s make-or-break speech was “too little too late” and that Labour’s May 7 elections hammering showed that he had “failed to inspire hope”.

You can read the full story by The Standard’s chief reporter Nicholas Cecil here.

Polanski and Davey weigh in

Monday 11 May 2026 14:21 , Tom Place

Green Party leader Zack Polanski has called for Sir Keir Starmer to go, warning that the Prime Minister is “incapable of taking on Reform”.

Responding to Sir Keir’s speech, Mr Polanski said: “Keir Starmer showed today that he still doesn’t understand why voters overwhelmingly rejected Labour on Thursday. People want real change and are fed up to the back teeth with a status quo that has failed the vast majority.

“The Greens’ message about ending the affordability crisis by bringing down bills, building council housing and introducing rent controls resonated with a public that has given up on the failing Labour Government.

“Farage is a dangerous threat to this country, and peddles fake solutions to voters who are also desperate to end this broken political consensus.

“Starmer has shown he’s incapable of taking on Reform. He must go. Only the insurgent Green Party can stop Reform.”

Green Party leader Zack Polanski (PA)

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged the Prime Minister to drop his red lines on Europe.

Sir Ed said: “Voters sent Keir Starmer a clear message that Britain needs a bold new direction, but he keeps delivering the same old speech.

“If the Government wants to regain the trust of the British people, they have to end the cost-of-living crisis.

“There is no way of doing that without getting rid of Keir Starmer’s red lines on Europe and fixing the botched Brexit deal, including a customs union. It’s really that simple.”

Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey (Getty)

All the Labour MPs calling on Starmer to quit

Monday 11 May 2026 14:12 , Tom Place

Dozens of Labour MPs have demanded the Prime Minister’s resignation following a series of humiliating defeats at the local elections.

Sir Keir Starmer’s party suffered heavy losses across England, Scotland and Wales, losing ground to Reform on the right and the Greens on the left.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (PA)

Sir Keir has insisted that he will continue as prime minister in spite of the startling election results, but many of his own MPs are calling for him to go.

You can see all the Labour MPs calling for Sir Keir Starmer to quit here.

Backbench MPs support Prime Minister

Monday 11 May 2026 14:05 , Tom Place

While many have called on him to go, a number of backbench Labour MPs have spoken out in support of Sir Keir Starmer following his speech on the Labour Party’s future.

Jack Abbott, Labour MP for Ipswich, told BBC News the Prime Minister showed “real humility and reflection”, adding: “We cannot fall back into this sort of inward looking fight.”

Labour MP for Hendon, David Pinto-Duschinsky, told Sky News: “I think what we saw today was a Prime Minister rising to the occasion.

“You heard and saw humility, I think you saw him take responsibility, but you also heard and saw the passion and the complete determination and not just to make incremental change, but to make real substantive, major, radical change.”

David Pinto-Duschinsky (PA Media)

In a post on X, Labour MP for Gedling, Michael Payne, said Sir Keir “understands the scale of the challenge and the urgency to act”.

And Labour MP for Macclesfield Tim Roca also wrote on X, saying: “Clear the PM gets the scale of the challenge, and the impatience people feel for change and bold action. Good to hear that urgency today.”

Badenoch: 'Labour arguing over who's driving the car, but they're heading in wrong direction'

Monday 11 May 2026 13:46 , Matt Watts

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said Labour had no “vision for the future” and said Sir Keir Starmer was floundering.

Writing on X she said: “Keir Starmer’s speech was sad to watch. With so many resets, even his reset button needs a reset.

“But I do not take pleasure in watching the Prime Minister flounder. The country needs leadership, not another speech from a man who clearly knows something has gone badly wrong, but still can’t explain why.

“This is Labour’s real problem. It is not just Starmer – all the pretenders jostling for his job do not have the answers either, because they all believe the same things: more welfare, more state control, more borrowing, more regulation. They are busy arguing over who should drive the car, but the truth is they are all heading in the wrong direction. They have no vision for the future.

“What we need is to get Britain working again. That is why I have proposed an alternative King’s Speech with a a clear plan to reward effort, cut the cost of government, secure our borders, rebuild industry and back families who do the right thing.

“If Labour are serious about fixing the country they could do all of this tomorrow. Whether they have the bravery or the common sense to do that is a different matter.”

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch (PA)

Sadiq Khan backs Starmer -but says he wants Andy Burnham back in Parliament

Monday 11 May 2026 13:42 , Matt Watts

Sir Sadiq Khan has expressed qualified support for Sir Keir Starmer but said he would like to see Andy Burnham return to Westminster.

The Mayor of London told the Press Association: “I’m not somebody calling for a change in leadership, but I am calling for a change in the pace of delivery.

“The Prime Minister, the Chancellor and other members of the Government need to accelerate the pace of delivery.”

Asked whether he thought Greater Manchester Mayor Mr Burnham should be allowed to run for Labour in a potential by-election to become an MP again, he said: “Andy Burnham is an excellent politician. He’s been a great mayor. He’s somebody who wants to return to Parliament. I think he should be able to do so sooner, rather than later.”

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan during a visit to The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew on Monday (PA)

Deputy Labour leader defends Starmer saying all ministers have to 'do better'

Monday 11 May 2026 13:26 , Matt Watts

Deputy leader of the Labour Party Lucy Powell said the Prime Minister’s made a “really personal and a really good speech that sets out very clearly what motivates him”.

Speaking to BBC News, she said: “Keir is the leader of the Labour Party, the Prime Minister, and therefore he gets the most stick. He’s the most well known of all of us. He’s the personification of the Labour Party, the Labour Government.

“And we actually all have a responsibility, each of us, with our different roles, to make sure that we turn things around. We’ve got to do better, and he made that clear today.

“He’s got to do better. We’ve got to do better to turn things around, because the stakes are really high. If we don’t turn things around as a party, as a Government, then we’ll see Nigel Farage walking up Downing Street, and that is a disaster for this country, and it’s not something we’re all going to stand by and let happen.”

Asked about Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, she said: “I really want to see – I think Keir made that clear today – us using all the assets that we have as a Labour Party, because this is a real battle for the future soul of this country.”

Deputy Leader of the Labour Party Lucy Powell (Getty)

More Labour MPs call on Starmer to go

Monday 11 May 2026 13:22 , Matt Watts

More Labour MPs have expressed a lack of confidence in the Prime Minister and said he should go.

Markus Campbell-Savours, MP for Penrith and Solway, said in a post on Twitter: Sir Keir Starmer is a decent, principled and kind man. But his leadership is not working, and it is with genuine regret that I say so.

“His position is now untenable. Colleagues should have the courage to say publicly what many have said privately for months.

“Loyalty matters. Loyalty to him, to the Party and to each other. But today loyalty lies with our elected members across the country and with the 1,500 who lost their seats last week. It does not lie in maintaining a course that is not commanding confidence.”

The Milton Keynes North MP Chris Curtis called for the Prime Minister to set out a timetable for his resignation.

He told Sky News: “I should start by saying, as I think many other of my colleagues have said today, that I have immense respect for the Prime Minister, the decisive election victory that he gave us, his response, for example, over the war in Iran.

“But I think the moment, the dramatic situation that we face, the geopolitical context, the fact that we have such a difficult economic inheritance, does mean that we need more radical change than the Government has set out so far.

“I don’t think we saw a plan from the Prime Minister this morning in order to implement the kind of change that this country needs, and I therefore think it’s time for us to look for new leadership.

Emma Lewell, MP for South Shields, stopped short of explicitly calling for Sir Keir’s resignation, but strongly criticised his speech on Monday.

In a statement, she said: This was a speech written in the same internal echo chamber that got us into this mess.

“In my patch, we lost every single council seat. Yet no one at all in the Government leadership has reached out to ask me why.

“Fundamentally, the public does not trust the PM or the Government. Without trust you have nothing.”

Rayner: In London elections we lost voters who fear they will never be able to afford a home

Monday 11 May 2026 13:11 , Matt Watts

More here from Angela Rayner’s speech at the Communication Workers Union in which she responded to Sir Keir Starmer’s speech.

The former deputy Prime Minister said “tweaks” won’t fix the fundamental challenges facing the country.

She highlighted how Labour voters were lost in London in Thursday’s elections who believe the party isn’t doing enough to fight the housing crisis.

She said: “I don’t need to be persuaded that tweaks won’t fix the fundamental challenges that our country faces.

“This Government needs – at pace – to put measures in place that makes people’s lives better. We need to fix the foundations of a system that is rigged against them, because we know that things can be so much better than this.

“Spain and Canada have shown that economies can grow and people can thrive when governments stay true to their values and put people first, and we need to learn from that.

“In London, we lost young people who fear they will never afford a home. And in my patch and across the north, we lost working people whose wages are too low and the costs are too high. In Scotland and Wales, people do not currently see Labour as the answer.

“Conference, for too long, governments have allowed wealth and power to concentrate at the top without a plan to ensure that the benefits of economic growth are shared fairly.”

She added: “Populists and nationalists are not parties for the working class. It is only Labour that can protect you at work, rebuild our estates, make sure that we have the council homes that we need, end no fault evictions, bring down waiting lists, and feed our kids.”

Angela Rayner (Peter Byrne/PA) (PA Wire)

Rayner repeats assertion Burnham should not have been blocked from running as an MP - and must be allowed to stand

Monday 11 May 2026 13:03 , Matt Watts

Former Labour Deputy leader Angela Rayner has responded to Sir Keir Starmer’s speech.

Speaking at the Communication Workers Union (CWU) conference, former deputy prime minister Ms Rayner said: “The Prime Minister today acknowledged the frustration that was expressed last week.

“But we will be judged on actions and not just our words.

“I’m proud of our Labour values but they’re not enough if we do not have a plan to put them into practice. It’s no good acknowledging the mistakes if they’re not put right.

“So let me be honest conference, we as the party have to do better than this and we can only prove we mean our Labour values by putting the common interest ahead of factionalism.

“And we can start by accepting that Andy Burnham should never have been blocked – it was a mistake that the leadership of our party should put right.”

Mr Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, failed to get approval from Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election earlier this year. The NEC said it would be too costly to have a fresh mayoral election.

Ms Rayner had said the same thing in her attack on Sir Keir yesterday.

Mr Burnham is seen as a leading contender to take over from Sir Keir and it was suggested that he been blocked from re-entering Parliament to stop him launching a challenge to Starmer’s leadership.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Labour Party MP and former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham (PA)

Catherine West backs down from immediate leadership challenge

Monday 11 May 2026 12:48 , Matt Watts

Catherine West had threatened to launch a challenge to Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership today if no cabinet member came forward.

But she now appears to have backed down from this position and said she is instead seeking names of Labour MPs to call on the Prime Minister to set a timetable for the election of a new leader in September.

Her call for an "orderly transition" echoes the comments made by supporters of Andy Burnham but stops far short of her previous threat to initiate a leadership contest today.

She said there is a need to “see if there’s support in the Parliamentary Labour Party for a change”.

She says she has asked Labour MPs to back a call for Sir Keir to set out a timetable to quit by September.

Labour MP who threatened leadership calls for Starmer to set timetable for departure

Monday 11 May 2026 12:23 , Tom Place

Former minister Catherine West has fallen short of launching a direct challenge to Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, but has maintained calls for the Prime Minister to step aside.

In a statement, she said: “I have listened to the Prime Minister’s speech this morning. I welcome the renewed energy and ideas. However, I have reluctantly concluded that this morning’s speech was too little too late.

“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.

Catherine West had mooted a leadership challenge (PA Wire)

“I am hereby giving notice to No 10 that I am collecting names of Labour MPs to call on the prime minister to set a timetable for the election of a new leader in September.

“I want to thank everyone who has been in contact over the weekend to offer good wishes. We need our best top team in place to fight the next election. We owe working people up and down the country nothing less.”

36 Labour MPs call for Starmer to go

Monday 11 May 2026 12:08 , Tom Place

More Labour MP have called on Sir Keir Starmer to set a timetable for his resignation, with Sky News reporting that 36 Labour MPs have publicly called for him to stand down.

Labour MP David Smith (X)

In a statement posted on social media close to the end of Sir Keir’s speech, North Northumberland MP David Smith said: “There is no question that the Labour Party owes a debt of gratitude to Keir Starmer for the work he did to turn our party around and to make us an electoral force again.

“It was nothing short of remarkable to restore us to a party that the country could put its trust in once more.

“But if we are to make good on the promises that we made to the country in 2024 to tackle the cost of living, to deal with immigration fairly and effectively, to restore our national economy, to re-build our armed forces and to see the return of a more cohesive, hopeful society, then we cannot carry on with the approach we have taken in the first two years of this Labour government.

“I therefore believe that now is the time for the Prime Minister to set a clear timetable for his departure. This departure should be ordered and dignified, for the PM himself, for the Government but most of all for the sake of the country.”

Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy (PA Wire)

Clapham and Brixton Hill Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy wrote on social media: “It is clear the PM does not have a credible plan. He must now set out a timetable for departure.

“But the process to replace him cannot be a coronation.

“Our next leader must be chosen in a real democratic contest. Otherwise we risk ending up right back where we started.”

Labour MP Nadia Whittome

And Labour MP for Nottingham East, Nadia Whittome, wrote on X: “The Prime Minister has yet again failed to learn the lessons of the local elections, doubling down on what he believes he has got right instead of reflecting on what he has got wrong.

“I have been calling for a change in leader since November – and for a change in direction for far longer. I am pleased that more of my colleagues are now also willing to make this case publicly.”

Danger lurks for Prime Minister in every corner of Westminster

Monday 11 May 2026 11:44 , Tom Place

In the bearpit of British politics, the most perilous threat for Prime Ministers so often comes from behind them.

It is not the Opposition across the despatch box but their own MPs who ultimately are most likely to deliver the fatal blow to their premiership.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer (Getty)

So Sir Keir Starmer could be forgiven for jumping at shadows in the dark and labyrinthine corridors at Westminster when MPs return to Parliament for the King’s Speech on Wednesday, if he survives that long.

You can read the full story by The Standard’s chief reporter Nicholas Cecil here.

Union boss calls for PM to resign

Monday 11 May 2026 11:35 , Tom Place

The head of a union affiliated to Labour has reiterated her call for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to resign.

Transport Salaried Staffs Association general secretary Maryam Eslamdoust said: “No amount of spin or resets can hide the truth: the public rejected Starmer at the ballot box on Thursday.

“We cannot keep sailing towards defeat. Either we change leader and direction now and begin rebuilding trust, or we sink with this failing project.

“MPs backing Starmer should think carefully about their own seats because voters already have. The trade unions cannot allow the ship to sink with its failed captain.

“The country is crying out for real change, not just another reset speech. Keir Starmer must resign now, and a leadership contest must begin immediately with the widest possible field of candidates.”

Labour MP: 'Hand over the keys to No10 now'

Monday 11 May 2026 11:20 , Tom Place

Prior to the Prime Minister’s speech this morning, Labour MP for Birmingham Erdington, Paulette Hamilton, told Jeremy Vine on 5 this morning: “We may as well hand over the keys to No10 now if we don’t change our leader soon.”

She was reflecting on the reaction on the doorstep of voters during the May 7 elections which saw Labour lose around 1,500 council seats across the country.

Labour MP Paulette Hamilton (Getty)

Starmer departs

Monday 11 May 2026 11:15 , Tom Place

That’s all from Sir Keir Starmer’s speech in Waterloo this morning.

We will continue to bring you reaction and fallout to the local election results and the Prime Minister’s speech.

Starmer doesn't rule out seeking single market or customs union membership

Monday 11 May 2026 11:04 , Tom Place

Sir Keir Starmer said he wanted to “take a big leap forward” at the upcoming EU-UK summit.

However, he declined to say whether Labour’s next manifesto would commit to seeking membership of the single market or customs union.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer (Getty)

Sir Keir said: “What I want to do is take a big leap forward with the EU-UK summit this year and take us closer, both on trade, the economy, defence and security.

“And that will then be a platform on which we can build as we go forward.

“And as we do that, I strongly believe we’ve got to turn our back on the arguments of the past, not open old grievances, but look forward together to how we make this country stronger, how we make this country fairer.

“And so that’s the approach that I will take.”

Starmer sidesteps Rayner question

Monday 11 May 2026 11:00 , Tom Place

Sir Keir Starmer said he had spoken to Angela Rayner, but sidestepped a question of whether she had ruled out ever mounting a leadership challenge against him.

He said: “I’m afraid I’m going to disappoint you … I spoke to Angela many, many times, by the way, in the last few weeks, we are friends.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner (PA)

“We get on very well, but I’m not going to go through each and everything that we discussed in those calls.”

He also said he had spoken to former Welsh Labour leader Eluned Morgan, who stood down after losing her seat, and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar since the local elections.

Prime Minister insists he will not walk away

Monday 11 May 2026 10:57 , Tom Place

Sir Keir Starmer has said that the “chaos” of multiple leader changes under the Conservative government cost the country a “huge amount”, with working people paying the price.

He said: “Yes, I acknowledge the frustration. Yes, I acknowledge the results are tough. Yes, I acknowledge that we’ve lost brilliant representatives across the United Kingdom. I have a responsibility for that.

“But I also have a responsibility to deliver the change that we were elected and that we promised this country, and I’ll deliver on that.”

When asked if he will fight to remain leader if a Labour MP launches a leadership contest against him, Sir Keir insisted he would not “walk away”.

He said there is "great strength of our country" because "we are a reasonable, tolerant, decent country, a live and let live country, a diverse country that is the real Britain".

Sir Keir added: "That is the Britain that I will fight for, particularly in light of the opponents we now have politically different to the opponents that we had before.

"That is the real Britain. That is the Britain I love. That's the Britain I'll fight for."

Starmer questioned over possible Burnham return

Monday 11 May 2026 10:51 , Tom Place

A decision to let Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham stand to become an MP is one for Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC), Sir Keir Starmer said.

When asked whether he would “back continuing to block Andy Burnham from trying to return to Parliament”, Sir Keir said: “Obviously, any future decision is for the NEC.

“Andy’s doing a great job as mayor in Manchester.

Sir Keir Starmer with Andy Burnham (Ian Vogler/Daily Mirror/PA) (PA Wire)

“And I actually work really well with Andy and I’ll give you two examples – on Northern Powerhouse Rail, which is really important for the North West. We are working together on that project.

“But equally, we stood together to support Manchester and the community when we had the terrible attack on a synagogue last year, and he was the first person I phoned, and I went straight to Manchester to work with him on our response.

“So, we work very well together, but the actual decision would be one for the NEC.”

Prime Minister vows to prove his doubters wrong

Monday 11 May 2026 10:48 , Tom Place

Sir Keir Starmer has been asked about a growing number of Labour MPs calling for him to step aside - and has vowed to prove his doubters wrong.

He said: "I'm not going to shy away from the fact that I've got some doubters, including in my own party - and I'm not going to shy away from the fact that I have to prove them wrong, and I will.

"I had my doubters when I took on the Labour Party. I had my doubters who said we couldn't change this party and make it capable of winning an election. And I proved them wrong.

"And when we did that, I had my doubters, who said, 'you can't lead us to a general election victory after the loss in 2019, it was so bad. It's not possible' - and I proved them wrong.

"I'm going to prove them wrong again here.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer giving a speech at the Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre in Waterloo, London (PA)

"I also feel a deep sense of personal responsibility to deliver on the mandate that we won at that 2024 election, the first Labour government for 14 years, that had to come in and clear up the mess and build a better Britain.

"That is what I came into politics to do and that is what I will deliver."

Prime Minister taking questions

Monday 11 May 2026 10:45 , Tom Place

Sir Keir Starmer concluded his speech to long and loud applause from supporters in the room in Waterloo.

He is now taking questions from reporters - we will continue to bring you key lines.

Starmer: 'We will block far-right agitators travelling to Britain'

Monday 11 May 2026 10:42 , Tom Place

Sir Keir Starmer has said that rival political parties want more division. while announcing that far-right agitators will be blocked from travelling to Britain for an event being held on Saturday.

He said: "They want more grievance politics, more division, more pointing at Britain's problems, looking not for solutions, but for someone to blame.

"Now that's fine if it's me, if it's politicians, that's the job. But increasingly it's not. It's other people in this country. And I don't think that's British. That is not the decency and respect that we are known for."

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (PA)

He then touches on an upcoming march, this weekend, with a Tommy Robinson-backed 'Unite the Kingdom' protest due to take place on Saturday - the same day as a pro-Palestine Nakba Day rally,

Sir Keir said the protest is "designed to confront and intimidate this diversity and this diverse country".

He said: "That is why this Labour government will block far-right agitators from travelling to Britain for that event, because we will not allow people to come to the UK to threaten our communities and spread hate on our streets."

He also went on to criticise Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage (Getty)

Sir Keir said: “I want to remind you what Nigel Farage said about Brexit.

“He said it would make us richer. Wrong. It made us poorer. He said it would reduce migration. Wrong. Migration went through the roof.

“He said it would make us more secure. Wrong again. It made us weaker.

“He took Britain for a ride and, unlike the Tories who actually at least have to face up to it, he just fled the scene and now he’ll talk about almost anything other than the consequences of the one policy he actually delivered.

“Because he’s not just a grifter, he is a chancer.”

Prime Minister promises stronger ties to Europe

Monday 11 May 2026 10:36 , Tom Place

Sir Keir Starmer has pledged stronger ties to Europe, announcing that an ambitious youth scheme that will be at the heart of a new relationship with the EU.

He said: "For our young people, Brexit snatched away their ability to work, to study and to live easily in Europe.

"I am proud we restored Eurasmus, but I want to go further, I want to make a better offer for our young people.

"I want an ambitious youth experience scheme to be at the heart of our new arrangement with the EU, so that our young people can work and study and live in Europe, a symbol of a stronger relationship and a fairer future with our closest allies.

"The last government was defined by breaking our relationship with Europe. This Labour government will be defined by rebuilding our relationship with Europe, by putting Britain at the heart of Europe."

Prime Minister announces plans to nationalise British steel

Monday 11 May 2026 10:31 , Tom Place

Sir Keir Starmer has announced that legislation will be brought forward this week to give the government powers to take "full ownership of British Steel", subject to a public interest test.

"Public ownership is in the public interest", he said, adding: "Urgent government on the side of working people, making Britain stronger with the hope of industrial renewal. That is a Labour choice."

Starmer: 'I can see how hard life has been'

Monday 11 May 2026 10:27 , Tom Place

Sir Keir Starmer has said that, despite NHS waiting lists, child poverty and immigration coming down, “that's not enough, clearly.”

He said that for British people "change cannot come quickly enough".

Sir Keir said he is not sure that people believe his Labour government cares, which is tough for him given he comes from a working class family.

He said: "I've spent too much time talking about what I'm doing for working people, and not enough time talking about why or who I stand for.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer giving a speech at the Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre in Waterloo, London (PA)

"Because I can see how hard life has been during these decades of crisis. I can see that very clearly.

“My late brother Nick spent all his adult life going from one job to the next. The status quo did not work for him.

"My sister is a carer, working long hours on low pay year after year after year. She didn't even get sick pay in the pandemic. The status quo did not work for her. For too long, we've ignored people like that and there are millions of people in that boat."

Prime Minister: "I will prove my doubters wrong'

Monday 11 May 2026 10:23 , Tom Place

Sir Keir Starmer’s speech continues.

He said: “I know I have my doubters and I know I need to prove them wrong, and I will do so.

“Like every prime minister, I’ve learned a lot in the first two years in the job in terms of the policy challenges that our country faces. Incremental change won’t cut it.

“On growth, defence, Europe, energy, we need a bigger response than we anticipated in 2024 because these are not ordinary times, and this is a political challenge just as much as it’s a policy challenge.

“Delivery is of course essential, but it’s not sufficient on its own to address the frustration that voters feel.

“We’re battling Reform and the Greens. But at a deeper level, we’re battling the despair that they exploit and amplify.”

Sir Keir added that neither Nigel Farage nor Zack Polanski offer” the serious, progressive leadership that these times demand”.

He said that while Labour has made mistakes, other parties would have dragged the UK into war with Iran.

Starmer speaks of 'dangerous opponents'

Monday 11 May 2026 10:14 , Tom Place

Keir Starmer has warned that the UK faces "dangerous opponents" should the Labour government not prevail.

He said: "We are not just facing dangerous times, but dangerous opponents, very dangerous opponents.

“This hurts not just because Labour has done badly, but because if we don't get this right, our country will go down a very dark path.

"I take responsibility for navigating us through a world that is more dangerous than at any time in my life.

“I take responsibility for not walking away, not plunging our country into chaos, as the Tories did time and again, chaos that did lasting damage to this country.

“A Labour government would never be forgiven for inflicting that on our country again.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer giving a speech at the Coin Street Neighbourhood Centre in Waterloo (PA)

Starmer takes the stage - and takes responsibility

Monday 11 May 2026 10:12 , Tom Place

The Prime Minister has now begun his speech.

He has said that he takes responsibility for the poor election results.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer ahead of a speech in Waterloo, London (PA)

Sir Keir said: "The election results last week were tough. Very tough. We lost some brilliant Labour representatives. That hurts. And it should hurt. I get it, I feel it, and I take responsibility.

"But it's not just about taking responsibility for the results. It's about taking responsibility to explain how, as a political and electoral force, we will be better and do better in the months and years ahead."

Labour MP Jadr Botterill speaking

Monday 11 May 2026 10:11 , Tom Place

Sir Keir Starmer is sitting in the front row as Labour MP for Ossett and Denby Dale Jade Botterill tells the room she was "devastated” by the election results.

She says the Labour Party is "one of the greatest vehicles for changing the lives of working people".

Starmer about to speak

Monday 11 May 2026 10:05 , Tom Place

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is about to deliver his speech, as he attempts to see off a leadership challenge following disastrous local election results for his party.

We will bring you all the key lines right here.

Labour MP: Starmer is a 'nice man but awful politician'

Monday 11 May 2026 09:56 , Tom Place

Ahead of Sir Keir's upcoming speech, Labour MP Paula Barker has said that her party could avoid "a load of chaos" if the Prime Minister steps aside.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, she said that the country has stopped listening to Starmer, adding: "He's a very nice man but he's an awful politician."

Labour MP Paula Barker (PA Media)

Ms Barker said: "It's becoming increasingly clear that our Labour government can no longer succeed if we have Keir at the helm."

Barker says she would be "delighted" if a seat could be identified for the Mayor of Manchester, Andy Burnham.

Labour MP: 'Be careful what you ask for'

Monday 11 May 2026 09:41 , Tom Place

A senior Labour MP has warned his colleagues against triggering a leadership contest to unseat Sir Keir Starmer.

Nick Smith, the MP for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, told his colleagues: “Be careful what you ask for”, in a statement shared with the Press Association.

MP for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney Nick Smith (X)

The backbencher added: “In their Government years the Conservative Party tore itself apart with leadership battles and our country suffered. Do we want to copy that?

“The world is going through a crisis with the Iranian blockade and war in Ukraine. This has knocked our domestic economy sideways. We need calm heads to get us through this.

“The Prime Minister has the right credentials to get us through these extraordinary times.

“We do need to reflect on the terrible results of last week, but we also need to unite.”

Kyle: Streeting ia 'focused on the success of this Government'

Monday 11 May 2026 09:31 , Tom Place

Business Secretary Peter Kyle has said that if Wes Streeting wanted to run for Prime Minister, he would not have spent his weekend watching The Devil Wears Prada 2 in the cinema.

Mr Kyle told Sky News he was campaigning with the Health Secretary in Ilford last weekend, stating: “After we campaigned, we went for dinner and we went and saw a movie together.

Peter Kyle and Wes Streeting (Getty)

“Somebody who is planning to pull the plug and launch a leadership bid in a couple of days’ time doesn’t go to the cinema with a friend.”

He said they watched The Devil Wears Prada 2 together, describing it as “fun”.

Mr Kyle added: “Wes and I are very good friends, but I’m not going to fall into the trap of being his spokesperson, but what I can tell you is that he, like me, is focused on the success of this Government.

“His primary mission in Government is making sure the whole Government is a success and he is there for Keir when he needs him.”

Rayner to speak this afternoon

Monday 11 May 2026 09:20 , Tom Place

Keir Starmer’s speech isn’t the only major event occurring today.

At 12.30pm, potential leadership rival Angela Rayner is scheduled to make a speech in Bournemouth at the CWU communications union biannual conference.

And at 6pm, Mainstream, Labour's organising body for centre-left MPs will hold an online meeting to discuss the fallout from Thursday's elections.

Starmer needs to 'meet the moment,' says chair of Labour Growth Group

Monday 11 May 2026 09:10 , Tom Place

Milton Keynes North MP Chris Curtis, who chairs the Labour Growth Group of 50 MPs, said he was waiting to hear Sir Keir Starmer's speech before deciding what he believes should happen next.

"These were a devastating set of (election) results and the response that we see from the Government and the Prime Minister needs to meet that moment," he told BBC radio.

Starmer to speak in one hour

Monday 11 May 2026 09:00 , Tom Place

Sir Keir Starmer is set to make his speech at 10am today.

According to extracts released by Downing Street, the Prime Minister will promise bolder action, and a closer relationship with the EU.

British Prime Minister and Labour leader Keir Starmer (Getty)

He is expected to say: "To meet the challenges that our country faces incremental change won't cut it. On growth, defence, Europe, energy – we need a bigger response than we anticipated in 2024 because these are not ordinary times."

West: 'We're in the last chance saloon'

Monday 11 May 2026 08:53 , Tom Place

Backbench Catherine West said over the weekend that she may try to trigger a leadership contest today.

Speaking to to BBC Radio 5 Live this morning, she said that she wants "to be fair" to Keir Starmer, but that if his speech doesn’t satisfy her, she will launch her own challenge.

Labour Catherine West (PA Wire)

She said: "We are in sort of the last chance saloon here. We need a really good communicator to take the fight to Nigel Farage."

Asked what it would take from this morning's speech to convince her, she said that she wants Starmer "to explain how he is going to make people's lives better".

Click here to read the full blog on The The Standard's website

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