More than 60 Labour MPs call on Starmer to set timetable to quit

"More than 60 MPs have called on Keir Starmer to set a timetable to depart as prime minister, including backers of his leadership rivals Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting. MPs from across the party's ranks said the prime minister had failed to convince them he had what it took to lead the country into the next election."

"In a speech earlier on Monday, Starmer said he would not resign and would prove his doubters wrong, saying Labour was facing very dangerous opponents in Reform UK. He said he would fight any leadership challenge and would not walk away from his responsibilities as prime minister. But his speech did not stem the steady flow of statements from MPs which called for the prime minister to announce an orderly transition."

"Catherine West, who had said she would seek to challenge Starmer if no other candidate emerged, said she would not mount a challenge but instead would collect names of those who wanted to see the PM resign. At Monday lunchtime, the co-chair of the Labour Growth Group, Chris Curtis, once considered a loyalist group, said Starmer could not deliver the change the country needed. I therefore think it's time for us to look for new leadership, he said."

"And I think what that means is the prime minister rightly now setting out a timetable and an orderly process for a leadership election, and one in which Labour has a discussion about the vision for the country and what changes we think are needed in order to face the very real challenges that Britain currently faces. Curtis was the first MP known to be close to the health secretary, Wes Streeting, who called for the prime minister to go."

More than 60 Labour MPs called for Keir Starmer to announce a timetable to depart as prime minister, including supporters of leadership rivals Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting. MPs said Starmer had not convinced them he could lead the country into the next election. Starmer said he would not resign, would fight any leadership challenge, and would not walk away from his responsibilities, citing dangerous opponents in Reform UK. Despite his speech, MPs continued to demand an orderly transition. Catherine West said she would not mount a challenge but would gather names of those wanting the prime minister to resign. Chris Curtis said new leadership was needed and urged a timetable and orderly process for a leadership election focused on Labour’s vision and required changes. Other MPs echoed the calls, including Alan Gemmell and Jas Athwal, citing lost confidence from voters.

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