Eleven Labour-affiliated unions say Starmer will not lead party into next election

Eleven unions that help fund the Labour Party say it is clear Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will not lead the party into the next election.

The group, which includes Unite, Unison and GMB, added that at some stage a plan will have to be put in place for the election of a new leader.

The unions acknowledged progress has been made with employment law reforms and the minimum wage increase. But they said they have been clear that Labour cannot continue on its current path.

Sir Keir pulled out of a meeting with the unions on Tuesday. He has vowed to get on with governing and repeatedly pledged to remain prime minister.

The 11 unions affiliated to Labour represent four million workers. They met on Tuesday despite Sir Keir's absence.

The statement they developed was a compromise. Some unions wanted a timetable for Sir Keir's departure, though two, Community and GMB, were wary of getting involved in leadership rows.

Divisions exist in Sir Keir's cabinet and among his backbench MPs about the prime minister's future. The unions' statement is likely to put further pressure on his position.

In the statement, the affiliated unions described the results at last week's elections in England, Scotland and Wales as devastating.

They said: "Labour is not doing enough to deliver the change that working people voted for at the general election."

"Our focus is on the fundamental change of direction on economic policy and political strategy that unions have been clear is needed, and not on the personalities and unfolding political drama in Westminster."

"It's clear that the prime minister will not lead Labour into the next election, and at some stage a plan will have to be put in place for the election of a new leader."

They added they are working closely as unions to shape a shared vision on policy, political strategy and economic policy that will reorient Labour back to working people.

Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds acknowledged it has been turbulent for the prime minister. He said there is no contest for the leadership of the Labour Party.

He told BBC Breakfast: "There's a very clear way to do that under our rules of 81 people nominating an alternative candidate. That hasn't happened."