Numerous parliamentary private secretaries have resigned from Keir Starmer’s government and joined calls for the Prime Minister to set out a timetable for his departure
The first members of Keir Starmer’s government have resigned alongside calls for the Prime Minister to quit.
Tom Rutland, a parliamentary private secretary (PPS), said the Prime Minister had “lost authority” and should “set out a timetable for his departure.” Joe Morris, a PPS to Health Secretary Wes Streeting, and Sally Jameson, a PPS at the Home Office, have also urged Sir Keir to step down. Another half-dozen PPSs are anticipated to resign on Monday, it has been suggested.
They have joined more than 50 Labour MPs who have insisted Sir Keir outline a timetable to transfer the leadership to someone else. Labour MP Tom Rutland, an assistant to a minister, said: “It is with regret that I believe the Prime Minister should now set out a timetable for his departure and for a new leader to be chosen to lead the Labour Party and the country.”
He added: “We also have a generational responsibility to stop Reform’s hatred and division from taking over our great country. It weighs heavily on me and all of us must do all we can to prevent this from happening. I do not have faith that the Prime Minister can meet this challenge.
“It is not compatible to hold this view and continue to serve on the frontbench, so I have resigned as a parliamentary private secretary to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and will continue to represent my wonderful constituents in East Worthing and Shoreham from the backbenches.”
Defence Secretary John Healey and Communities Secretary Steve Reed have made their way to No10, reports the Express.
The development follows Starmer attempting to silence “doubters” after the Labour leader pushed back against demands for his resignation.
The Prime Minister stated that his party would “be better and do better” as he accepted responsibility for Labour’s electoral drubbing across England, Scotland and Wales last week.
Characterising the election results as “tough”, he addressed an audience in central London: “I get it, I feel it, and I take responsibility.
“But it’s not just about taking responsibility for the results. It’s about taking responsibility to explain how, as a political and electoral force, we will be better and do better in the months and years ahead.”
He added: “I know I have my doubters, and I know I need to prove them wrong, and I will.”
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