Starmer to face split cabinet as demands for his resignation mount

"Keir Starmer is set to face his cabinet as more than 80 Labour MPs have called for him to resign, following the party's devastating local elections losses last week. The cabinet is said to be divided on whether he should remain on and will meet on Tuesday. Starmer's chief secretary, MP Darren Jones, told Sky News the prime minister was talking to colleagues but was very clear yesterday that he will not be walking away."

"Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is understood to have told the prime minister to oversee the transition of power, according to reporting in UK news outlets, amid a deluge of similar statements from parliamentarians, and six ministerial aides quitting on Monday. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Defence Secretary John Healey also met with Starmer yesterday."

"In a speech on Monday, Starmer took responsibility for the very tough election results, but said Labour would never be forgiven for inflicting the chaos of constantly changing leaders, as seen under the Conservatives, on the country again. The local elections last Thursday resulted in Labour losing more than 1,400 seats and losing power in Wales, with Reform and the Greens making gains."

"A leadership contest requires the endorsement of 81 Labour MPs, 20 percent of the party in the Commons. Potential challengers to Starmer include Health Secretary Wes Streeting, former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. However, Rayner's ability to run is hampered until an investigation into her tax affairs is resolved. She resigned in 2025 after admitting she had underpaid stamp duty on a flat, which she said was the result of improper legal advice."

Keir Starmer is scheduled to meet with his cabinet after more than 80 Labour MPs called for him to resign following devastating local election losses. The cabinet is divided on whether he should remain, and Starmer has said he will not walk away while continuing to talk with colleagues. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is reported to have urged Starmer to oversee a transition of power, alongside other similar statements and the resignation of six ministerial aides. Starmer took responsibility for the election results but warned Labour would not repeat the chaos of constantly changing leaders. Labour lost over 1,400 seats and power in Wales, while Reform and the Greens gained. A leadership contest would require endorsement from 81 Labour MPs, and potential challengers include Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner, and Andy Burnham, with Rayner’s candidacy constrained by a tax investigation and Burnham needing to return as an MP.

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