Keir Starmer faces open rebellion in the party after a historic election defeat, but refuses to consider leaving and is determined to continue governing, according to the deputy prime minister.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labor Party, has no intention of stepping down from his post despite growing pressure from some of his fellow party members. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy told Sky News Starmer has no plans to set a date for his departure and remains determined to continue leading the government. Lammy emphasized that the prime minister is fully focused on the implementation of the government’s agenda and described him as the “most resilient person” he knows.
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer refuses to set a date for leaving office.
- Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy claims that there is no formal fight in the party.
- Four members of the government resigned from their positions, including the Minister of Health.
- More than a hundred Labor MPs have written to Starmer expressing their confidence and support.
- Labor suffered a historic defeat in the local elections with the loss of seats.
Starmer is facing calls for his resignation from more than 90 Labor Party members who have urged him to set a timetable for his departure. Despite this, Lammy says there is currently no formal leadership race in the party.
Calls for leadership change
Four cabinet members resigned last week, with Health Minister Wes Streeting announcing he was ready to run for party leader if there was a leadership change. According to the AP, Streeting is considered one of the main candidates for Starmer’s position. Other possible contenders include former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who plans to return to parliament after an agreement with the party.
Despite these challenges, Starmer still has the support of parts of the party. More than a hundred Labor MPs signed a statement expressing their confidence in the prime minister, stressing that the priority is to regain the trust of the electorate and work on the necessary changes in the country.
The crisis after the electoral defeat
The Labor Party is in crisis after a historic defeat in local elections, where it lost more than 1,400 seats and control of several local authorities. It also recorded significant losses in the Welsh parliament, where it had dominated for decades, and its positions weakened in the Scottish legislature. This electoral failure caused internal tension in the party and discussions about the future of its leadership.
Pressure behind the scenes
Although none of the senior members of the government have publicly called on Starmer to step down, some ministers are reported to have privately indicated that he should consider his political future. Nevertheless, the prime minister remains determined to stay in office and focus on solving the problems facing the country.
