Keir Starmer LIVE: Top Labour determine drops PM QUIT bombshell as Cabinet rallies to defend him
Cabinet ministers are rallying to Keir Starmer’s defence as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called for him to quit as PM.
Mr Sarwar became the most senior Labour figure to call on Mr Starmer to stand as the Peter Mandelson scandal continued to engulf the government. Speaking at a press conference, Mr Sarwar said: “The distraction needs to end and the leadership in Downing Street needs to change.”
He added: “The situation in Downing Street is not good enough. There have been too many mistakes. They promised they were going to be different, but too much has happened. Have there been good things? Of course, there have, many of them, but no one knows them and no one can hear them because they’re being drowned out. That’s why it cannot continue.”
The move came as Mr Starmer was already left reeling by the departure of two top advisers less than 24 hours apart. No10 chief-of-staff Morgan McSweeney quit on Sunday while director of communications, Tim Allan, resigned earlier today. But a Downing Street spokesperson hit back at Mr Sarwar’s comments, saying: “Keir Starmer is one of only four Labour leaders ever to have won a general election. He has a clear five-year mandate from the British people to deliver change, and that is what he will do.”
Follow all the latest updates below
Former Labour leader Ed Miliband backs Keir Starmer
Former Labour leader and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has backed Keir Starmer.
In a post on X, he said: “Keir has earned the right to deliver the change he has promised and do what he cares about – which is to serve the country. This is not the time for the government to turn inwards on itself. We must focus on delivering the change we promised the country.”
Wes Streeting says Keir Starmer doesn’t need to resign
Health Secretary Wes Streeting – often floated as a possible leadership contender – has said Keir Starmer doesn’t need to resign. He told Sky News it “has not been the best week for the government”, but added: “Give Keir a chance”.
Heidi Alexander also said Anas Sarwar was “wrong” after the Scottish Labour leader said Sir Keir Starmer should resign.
The Transport Secretary said in a post on X: “I respect (Anas Sarwar) but he is wrong. Keir led our party to a general election victory 18 months ago and he is the right person for the job in difficult circumstances. The public want us to fix the country’s problems, not fixate on ourselves.”
Cabinet swings to action to defend the under-fire PM
A series of Cabinet ministers have begun posting messages of support on X.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves said: “Rebuilding Britain takes time. But thanks to the decisions we’ve made NHS waiting lists are falling. Inflation is falling. Interest rates are falling. The conditions for the economy to grow are there. With Keir as our Prime Minister we are turning the country around.”
Deputy PM David Lammy added: “Keir Starmer won a massive mandate 18 months ago, for five years to deliver on Labour’s manifesto that we all stood on. We should let nothing distract us from our mission to change Britain and we support the Prime Minister in doing that.”
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar calls on Keir Starmer to resign
Speaking at a press conference today, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called on Keir Starmer to quit – becoming to most senior figure in the party to make the demand so far.
He said:”The distraction needs to end and the leadership in Downing Street needs to change.” He added: “We have an SNP government that is addicted to secrecy and cover ups with devastating consequences.
“That’s why I have to be honest about failure wherever I see it. The situation in Downing Street is not good enough. There have been too many mistakes. They promised they were going to be different, but too much has happened. Have there been good things? Of course, there have, many of them, but no one knows them and no one can hear them because they’re being drowned out. That’s why it cannot continue.”
