More than 100 Labour MPs sign statement against Starmer leadership challenge

"More than 100 Labour MPs have signed a statement saying this is no time for a leadership contest, as Keir Starmer told his cabinet he would not stand down while a formal leadership contest had not been triggered. The letter, coordinated by backbenchers, has been signed by 103 MPs, including parliamentary private secretaries. Organisers say it did not come from No 10, though MPs said it had been circulated by government whips."

"The number of MPs exceeds those who have publicly called for the prime minister to leave which is more than 80 MPs and three ministers who have quit including the influential minister Jess Phillips. Those backing Starmer said it showed that the MP had the support of the majority of MPs as well as the cabinet though critics said it was still less than half of backbenchers. Last week we had a devastatingly tough set of election results. It shows we have a hard job ahead to win back trust from the electorate, the letter said."

"That job needs to start today with all of us working together to deliver the change the country needs. We must focus on that. This is no time for a leadership contest. Starmer, in comments that in effect dared the health secretary, Wes Streeting, to launch a challenge against him, told ministers that he intended to get on with governing and noted that a threshold for a leadership challenge had not been reached."

"A change of leadership now, or even prolonged speculation about one, will damage UK investor confidence at a moment when we cannot afford it. I've been hearing from businesses with operations in Rugby and beyond, and the message is con"

More than 100 Labour MPs signed a statement saying there is no time for a leadership contest. Keir Starmer told his cabinet he would not stand down while a formal leadership contest had not been triggered. The letter was coordinated by backbenchers and signed by 103 MPs, including parliamentary private secretaries. Organisers said it did not come from No 10, though MPs said it was circulated by government whips. Supporters said it showed Starmer had backing from the majority of MPs and the cabinet, while critics said it was still less than half of backbenchers. The statement cited tough election results and urged immediate focus on working together to deliver change. Starmer said the threshold for a leadership challenge had not been reached and intended to govern, with some MPs warning that leadership speculation could harm investor confidence.

Read at www.theguardian.com