Four secretaries of state resigned on Tuesday, May 12 to express their lack of confidence in British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Despite numerous calls for his resignation, highlighting the growing rebellion within his party, the Labour leader says he wants to “continue governing.”
The political fate of Prime Minister Keir Starmer seems to be hanging by a thread. Calls for his resignation within his party are multiplying. His speech on Monday, May 11, considered crucial following the Labour’s severe electoral defeat last Thursday in the local elections, failed to appease his ranks. On the contrary, it only increased the pressure.
According to reports from outlets such as the BBC and The Times, 81 MPs explicitly asked the Labour leader to resign or set a timetable for his departure. This is significant because to initiate a challenge procedure against the party leadership, 20% of Labour MPs, which is 81, must publicly support another candidate. It is not at that stage yet, but the symbolism is present.
Distrust towards Keir Starmer has spread within his government. Before the start of the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, May 12, Housing Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh announced her resignation. “Our country is facing enormous challenges and the public is loudly calling for the extent of change this requires. The public does not believe you are capable of leading this change – and neither do I,” she declared in a letter addressed to the Prime Minister.
Subsequently, at the end of the Cabinet meeting, two other secretaries of state announced their resignation: Jess Phillips, responsible for combating violence against women, and Alex Davies-Jones, responsible for victims, as reported by Sky News.
“I want the Labour government to function, and I will strive, as I always have, to ensure its success and popularity; but I do not see the change that, I believe, I myself and the country are waiting for, so I cannot continue to serve as minister under the current leadership,” explained MP Jess Phillips in a letter to Keir Starmer.
Health Secretary Zubir Ahmed also submitted his resignation. In a letter published on X, he stated that “it is clear that, regardless of the extent of individual successes and progress, these are now overshadowed and undermined by the absence of leadership based on values.”
“It is clear from recent days that the British public has now irreversibly lost confidence in you as Prime Minister,” he added, addressing Keir Starmer directly.
Key government figures have also called on the Prime Minister to step down, according to British media. Among them, Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood. Even Darren Jones, a close associate of Keir Starmer, displayed caution: “I will not pre-empt a decision that the Prime Minister may or may not take,” he said on Sky News.
“Country expects us to continue governing”
Despite the pressure, Keir Starmer has no plans to resign. He told his gathered ministers at Downing Street that he wanted to “continue governing,” according to a government statement. “The country expects us to continue governing. That is what I am doing, and what we must do as a government,” he declared while taking “responsibility” for the election results.
“I commit to implementing the change we promised (…) The past 48 hours have been destabilizing for the government, which has real economic costs for our country and families,” he emphasized, before reminding, “the Labour Party has a process to challenge its leader, and it has not been triggered.”
More than 100 Labour MPs signed a letter of support on Tuesday. “We achieved extremely difficult election results last week. This shows that we must work to regain the trust of the electorate (…) This is not the time to initiate a challenge to the party leadership,” these MPs stated in their letter.
On X, Housing Secretary Steve Reed cautioned against the “consequences of instability on people’s lives.” “This is not a game… We must unite behind the Prime Minister,” he wrote.
Defense Secretary John Healey echoed these sentiments. “People are worried about current conflicts and imminent global crises. They expect their government to guide the country through these, as the Prime Minister does. More instability does not serve Britain’s interests,” he stated.
The Prime Minister can also count on the support of Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Minister David Lammy, as well as Trade Minister Jonathan Reynolds, according to Sky News. Meanwhile, Labor Minister Pat McFadden encouraged him to “continue fighting.”
Many Labour officials want to avoid a situation similar to 2022 when the Conservatives had three Prime Ministers in just four months.
“Potential replacements discussed”
A possible departure of Keir Starmer would not trigger legislative elections but his replacement by another Labour figure. British media have been discussing several names for weeks. The current Health Minister, Wes Streeting, appears to be the simplest option. Wes Streeting, 43, as an elected Member of Parliament, is a prerequisite to be eligible to lead the government.
Another serious contender is Andy Burnham, 56, mayor of the Manchester conurbation and the most popular Labour figure according to polls. But he cannot run as he lacks a seat in Parliament. Organizing an election could take several months and would involve a secure constituency MP resigning to make way for him. The name of former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, 46, is also regularly mentioned in the press.
Keir Starmer’s popularity has plummeted since coming to power following Labour’s landslide victory in the 2024 general elections, ending 14 years of Conservative rule. His critics highlight his multiple missteps, U-turns, and controversies – including the scandal surrounding the controversial Labour figure Peter Mandelson’s nomination as ambassador to Washington.
Discontent within his party has risen further after last Thursday’s local elections. Labour lost ground to Nigel Farage’s anti-immigration Reform UK party even in its traditional strongholds in northern England and Wales. The Greens, further left, also took votes from Labour in London.
This political storm comes amid heightened international turmoil due to the Middle East conflict and domestically at a particularly delicate moment, on the eve of a speech by King Charles III outlining the legislative agenda for the upcoming year.
