Cabinet ministers turn on Starmer and urge him to quit, with Streeting ‘poised to launch leadership bid’

At least four senior Labour cabinet ministers, including Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, have urged Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to resign or set a clear timetable for his departure amid mounting pressure following poor election results. The calls come ahead of a critical cabinet meeting, with over 80 Labour MPs publicly demanding Starmer’s exit. Health Secretary Wes Streeting is widely expected to announce a leadership bid, signaling a potential coup within the party’s ranks. The unrest within Labour has deepened as several parliamentary private secretaries and ministerial aides resigned in protest, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with Starmer’s leadership. Junior Health Minister Stephen Kinnock indicated that some cabinet members might formally call for the prime minister’s resignation during the upcoming meeting. The revolt follows a historically poor showing for Labour in recent local elections, where Reform UK and the Green Party made significant gains at Labour’s expense, intensifying scrutiny of Starmer’s strategy and leadership style. Despite the growing rebellion, Starmer attempted to rally support with a defiant speech in central London, acknowledging responsibility for the election setbacks and vowing to prove his critics wrong. He framed the political challenge as a “battle for the soul of the nation,” urging Labour to present a distinct alternative to rival parties. However, his message failed to quell the unrest among backbenchers and ministers, many of whom see a leadership change as necessary to restore party unity and electoral competitiveness. The situation remains volatile, with speculation that allies of former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner may also prepare leadership bids, further complicating the party’s internal dynamics. The upcoming cabinet meeting is expected to be a pivotal moment for Labour, potentially reshaping its leadership and direction ahead of future national elections.