Storm against Starmer: 96 demand his resignation

Emil Forsberg

Published 06.53

 

There is a storm around Starmer. Photo: Peter Nicholls/AP/TT

A hundred of his own MPs have already turned against Keir Starmer.

At the same time, five ministers are leaving his side.

One of them is prepared to challenge him for the prime minister's post.

The disastrous local election result last week was the last straw for many members of the British Labour Party.

96 of them have demanded Prime Minister Keir Starmer's resignation or urged him to set a deadline for when he will leave.

Five ministers in the Starmer government have also thrown in the towel. Among them are Innovation Minister Zubir Ahmed and Security Minister Jess Philips.

But the resignation of Health Minister Wes Streeting has received the most attention.

           

         Wes Streeting announced his resignation on Thursday. Photo: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP/TT 

FACTS

Ministers who resigned

Zubir Ahmed, health and innovation secretary.

Jess Phillips, security secretary.

Miatta Fahnbulleh, minister responsible for devolution.

Alex Davies Jones, minister for victims of crime.

In a scathing letter, he attacked the prime minister and described how he had lost confidence in him. He also stated that he did not believe Starmer would lead Labour into the next election.

"Leaders take responsibility, but too often it has meant that others have had to take the hit," Streeting wrote in the letter.

Instead, he may challenge Starmer for the post, reports the Independent.

- Wes will be a candidate, say sources close to the ex-minister.

 

10 Downing street. Photo: Thomas Krych/AP/TT

Starmer: Will not resign

Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is also being tipped as a candidate. After a few days of speculation, he now confirms that he is entering the fray.

“There is a limit to what can be done from Manchester. Much bigger changes are needed at a national level if everyday life is to become more affordable again”; he writes on X.

Starmer himself has said that he will not resign – but US President Donald Trump believes that it will be “tough” for him to survive the crisis.

He attacked, among other things, the British Prime Minister’s migration and energy policies and said that Starmer’s refusal to drill for oil and gas in the North Sea was behind his resignation.

– It is difficult if he cannot sort out immigration. That is where he is weak. And if he does not start drilling and stop having windmills everywhere. He must open up the North Sea.