Keir Starmer's deputies are starting to quit. Some are urging him to 'do the right thing for the country' | Fortune

"Starmer tried to shore up support within his Cabinet following a feverish few days in the wake of hefty losses for the Labour Party in local elections last week, which if repeated in a national election that has to be held by 2029 would see it overwhelmingly ejected from power."

"While more than 100 members of Parliament signed a letter saying it was "no time for a leadership contest," about 90 others said Starmer should stand down or at least set out a timetable for his departure. That's not enough to trigger a leadership contest, though, as no candidate has issued a challenge to the prime minister."

"On Tuesday, several junior ministers, some of whom were elected for the first time in Labour's landslide election victory in July 2024, resigned and urged Starmer to do the same. Miatta Fahnbulleh, minister of housing, communities and local government, was the first to quit, urging Starmer "to do the right thing for the country.""

"She was followed by Jess Phillips, the safeguarding minister and a prominent member of the Labour Party. In her resignation letter, she described Starmer as a "good man fundamentally" but unable to make bold changes. "I know you care deeply, but deeds, not words are what matter," Phillips said."

Keir Starmer said he has no intention of resigning despite growing pressure within the Labour Party. The turmoil followed heavy Labour losses in local elections, raising fears that similar results in a national election by 2029 could remove the party from power. Several junior ministers resigned in protest, fueling speculation that Starmer could face a leadership change similar to Boris Johnson’s 2022 departure after mass resignations. More than 100 lawmakers signed a letter opposing a leadership contest, while about 90 others urged Starmer to step down or set a departure timetable. A leadership election cannot be triggered without a formal challenge under Labour rules requiring public backing for a single candidate. Miatta Fahnbulleh and Jess Phillips were among the first to resign, urging Starmer to act for the country and arguing that bold changes were not being delivered.

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