Dozens of Labour MPs Call for Starmer Resignation After Poor Election Results

At least a dozen Labour MPs have publicly called for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to resign or set a deadline for the end of his leadership after poor results in recent elections.

Labour MPs in several cases blame Starmer personally for the losses. "There was one issue on the door and it was Keir. If he leads us into a future election we are dead," one Labour MP told the BBC.

Another Labour MP from an area that swung heavily to Reform UK said voters did not hate Labour but "they did hate Keir." A senior Labour figure added that "everyone in Wales is saying this is all Starmer's fault."

Some MPs worry a leadership contest would disrupt government and fail to solve underlying problems. "I am still of the view that anyone who takes over will inherit the same problem - an impatient and almost ungovernable country that wants tax cuts and spending increases on nearly everything," one Labour MP said.

Cabinet ministers have rallied to Starmer's defense on television and social media. Business Secretary Peter Kyle stated: "Reversing these results requires a collective effort, not just blaming the boss."

Former cabinet minister Louise Haigh told the BBC that now was not the time for an internal leadership contest and praised Starmer's stance on the Iran war. But she added: "The message has been clear from the public. Unless the government delivers urgent and significant change it's clear the PM can not lead us in to the next election."

Sarah Owen, another MP, said "unless Keir Starmer delivers tangible change ... he cannot lead us in to another election (locally or nationally)." Both are leading figures in the soft left Tribune group of MPs.

Some Tribune members back Starmer only temporarily until Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham can return to Parliament to challenge for leadership. Burnham needs to become an MP, but the party blocked his candidacy a few months ago. Some Labour National Executive Committee members say they would block him again.

MPs calling to lift the barrier told the BBC that another block on Burnham would make the Parliamentary Labour Party mood mutinous.

The public calls come from a small share of Labour's more than 400 MPs. But cabinet ministers' open professions of loyalty signal anxiety at Downing Street.

Election details highlight the upheaval. Labour's leader in Starmer's Camden council lost to the Greens, though Labour kept control. Conservatives lost to Reform UK in Kemi Badenoch's Essex area. In Kirklees, West Yorkshire, local leaders of Labour, Conservatives and Liberal Democrats all lost council seats.

Starmer is hunkering down in No. 10 Downing Street. He plans a major speech and new legislative program next week. Some allies say its reception could decide his tenure.