Senior Labour figures are pressuring Keir Starmer to prepare for his departure
Keir Starmer is facing the gravest crisis of his premiership after senior cabinet figures reportedly urged him to prepare a timetable for his resignation amid growing fears of a full-scale Labour leadership revolt.
The pressure intensified dramatically after more than 80 Labour MPs from across different factions of the party publicly demanded a change in leadership following the party’s disastrous local election results.
According to reports, at least four cabinet members including Shabana Mahmood have privately told Starmer he must begin planning his exit before a crucial government meeting.
At the same time, speculation has exploded around a possible leadership challenge from Wes Streeting, with Labour insiders increasingly expecting the Health Secretary to launch a bid for the top job.
Streeting’s allies have already begun abandoning the government in a coordinated wave of resignations that has further destabilised Starmer’s authority. Parliamentary private secretary Joe Morris resigned while openly declaring the Prime Minister no longer had the confidence of the public.
Other Labour figures including Sally Jameson, Melanie Ward, Tom Rutland and Naushabah Khan have also either resigned from government roles or publicly demanded new leadership.
The rebellion comes only days after Labour suffered catastrophic losses in local elections across England, sparking panic throughout the party. Despite Starmer attempting to steady his position with a speech promising Labour would “be better and do better”, critics inside Westminster remain deeply unconvinced.
Many MPs now fear the government is spiralling towards electoral disaster, particularly as Reform UK continues surging in opinion polls and local contests. Some Labour figures have privately warned that without urgent change, Nigel Farage could eventually become Prime Minister.
Behind the scenes, conversations are reportedly intensifying around how a formal leadership challenge could unfold. Under Labour Party rules, any challenger would need the support of 81 MPs equivalent to 20 per cent of Labour’s parliamentary party to officially trigger a contest.
If such a challenge succeeds, Starmer would automatically appear on the ballot as the incumbent leader. Alternatively, if he resigns voluntarily, the party would immediately begin the process of electing a successor.
The growing unrest has exposed severe fractures inside Labour’s government. Some MPs accuse Starmer of failing to connect with working-class voters, while others believe his leadership has become politically exhausted after repeated election setbacks.
Criticism has also intensified over the party’s handling of the cost-of-living crisis and declining public trust. Several MPs who resigned from junior government roles argued Labour had lost the confidence of voters and needed a dramatic reset before the situation became irreversible.
Meanwhile, Labour’s internal crisis has fuelled growing attention on potential successors. Wes Streeting remains one of the most closely watched figures, although his team has so far refused to publicly confirm whether he intends to launch a leadership bid.
The crisis marks an extraordinary fall for Starmer, who once appeared to have restored Labour’s credibility after years of political instability. Now, barely two years into government, his authority appears to be disintegrating under pressure from both the electorate and his own MPs.
As Labour divisions deepen, the Prime Minister faces a rapidly narrowing path to survival.
And with cabinet ministers now reportedly discussing the timing of his departure rather than his recovery, many inside Westminster increasingly believe the battle for Labour’s future has already begun.