Keir Starmer chaos newest as full checklist of Labour MPs calling for him to stop revealed
Dozens of Labour MPs have now publicly called for Keir Starmer to quit as pressure mounts on the Prime Minister
Go on now go . . . (Image: Carl Court, Getty Images)
Dozens of Labour MPs have now openly demanded Keir Starmer’s resignation as the pressure on the PM intensifies. Mr Starmer gave a crucial speech on Monday morning promising to improve – but left many of his MPs unconvinced he should remain in post. The Prime Minister is facing a precarious fight to win back his MPs as his allies attempt to quell the threat of a revolt.
Following his address, former Foreign Office minister Catherine West urged MPs to back her call for Mr Starmer to step aside. She claimed the PM’s promises were “too little, too late”.
By Monday’s close, nearly 70 MPs had publicly demanded the PM’s departure. Five MPs resigned their roles as parliamentary private secretaries (PPS), while another urged Mr Starmer to establish “a clear timetable for his departure in September or shortly after”. All six have been replaced.
In recent days, No10 has been shaken by high-profile MPs and allies of the PM calling for a leadership change. These included former Cabinet Office minister Josh Simons – who previously led pro-Starmer think-tank Labour Together. He stated the party leader had “lost the country” and encouraged him to set out a timetable for his exit, reports the Mirror.
And Chris Curtis, who heads the Labour Growth Group, expressed his disbelief that the PM had proposed a plan with the transformation the country requires. Veteran MP Clive Betts, who has served as an MP for over three decades, has also demanded change. Others, including former Cabinet member Louise Haigh have suggested the PM will need to step aside if he doesn’t improve – but have refrained from outright stating he must leave.
The PM is also under pressure from Labour-affiliated unions, including the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) and the Fire Brigades Union (FBU). TSSA leader Maryam Eslamdoust stated on Monday: “Either we change leader and direction now and begin rebuilding trust, or we sink with this failing project.”
And FBU general secretary Steve Wright said the leadership needed to change but that it shouldn’t be hasty, stating: “We want to make sure there is a process now, a transition, to someone that can lead this country.” Other prominent unions including Unison have warned the PM there needs to be a change in “the fundamental approach” of the government.
All eyes are on Angela Rayner – who delivered a sharp assessment of Labour’s performance – and Wes Streeting, both of whom are rumoured to be preparing leadership bids. Mr Streeting is believed to have informed No10 he has a plan if the PM’s control unravels, but does not intend to challenge him.
Anyone planning to challenge Mr Starmer would require the support of 81 Labour MPs. Many are hoping to postpone any action against Mr Starmer so that Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham can get an opportunity to return to Parliament.
But Business Secretary Peter Kyle suggested that ministers would continue to resist any attempt by Mr Burnham to contest a by-election.
Full list
- David Baines MP, St Helens North
- Paula Barker MP, Liverpool Wavertree
- Apsana Begum MP, Poplar and Limehouse
- Clive Betts MP, Sheffield South East
- Olivia Blake MP, Sheffield Hallam
- Jonathan Brash MP, Hartlepool
- Richard Burgon MP, Leeds East
- Ian Byrne MP, Liverpool West Derby
- Markus Campbell-Savours MP, Penrith and Solway
- Chris Curtis MP, Milton Keynes North
- Anna Dixon MP, Shipley
- Barry Gardiner MP, Brent West
- Paulette Hamilton MP, Birmingham Erdington
- Imran Hussain MP, Bradford East
- Terry Jermy MP, South West Norfolk
- Kim Johnson MP, Liverpool Riverside
- Alan Gemmell MP, Central Ayrshire
- Ian Lavery MP, Blyth and Ashington
- Brian Leishman MP, Alloa and Grangemouth
- Clive Lewis MP, Norwich South
- Rachael Maskell MP, York Central
- Andy McDonald MP, Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
- Catherine McKinnell MP, Newcastle North
- Navendu Mishra MP, Stockport
- Abtisam Mohamed MP, Sheffield Central
- Luke Myer MP, Middlesborough South and East Cleveland
- Connor Naismith MP, Crewe and Nantwich
- Simon Opher MP, Stroud
- Kate Osborne MP, Jarrow and Gateshead East
- Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP, Clapham and Brixton Hill
- Euan Stainbank MP, Falkirk
- Josh Simons MP, Makerfield
- David Smith MP, North Northumberland
- Graham Stringer MP, Blackley and Middleton South
- Jon Trickett MP, Normanton and Hemsworth
- Tony Vaughan MP, Folkestone and Hythe
- Catherine West MP, Hornsey and Friern Barnet
- Nadia Whittome MP, Nottingham East
- Lorraine Beavers MP, Blackpool North and Fleetwood
- Ruth Jones MP, Newport West and Islwyn
- Fred Thomas MP, Plymouth Moor View
- Paul Davies MP, Colne Valley
- Sarah Smith MP, Hyndburn
- Jas Athwal MP, Ilford South
- Jo Platt MP, Leigh and Atherton
- Tonia Antoniazzi MP, Gower
- Alex Ballinger MP, Halesowen
- Sally Jameson MP, Doncaster Central
- Tom Rutland MP, East Worthing and Shoreham
- Joe Morris MP, Hexham
- Sam Carling MP, North West Cambridgeshire
- Yuan Yang MP, Earley and Woodley
- Naushabah Khan MP, Gillingham & Rainham
- Lee Pitcher MP, Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme
- Rachel Taylor MP, North Warwickshire and Bedworth
- Debbie Abrahams MP, Oldham East and Saddleworth
- Melanie Ward MP, Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy
- Alex McIntyre MP, Gloucester
- Mary Kelly Foy MP, Durham
- Maureen Burke MP, Glasgow North East
- Charlotte Nichols MP, Warrington North
- Ben Goldsborough MP, South Norfolk
- Beccy Cooper MP, Worthing West
- Sarah Hall MP, Warrington South
- Matt Bishop MP, Forest of Dean
- Tahir Ali MP, Birmingham Hall Green & Moseley
- Gordon McKee MP, Glasgow South
- Jonathan Hinder MP, Pendle and Clitheroe
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