Tom Watson warns against efforts to oust Keir Starmer, saying it would harm Labour’s chances and worsen internal divisions

Former Labour deputy leader Tom Watson has urged his party’s MPs to abandon plans to remove Keir Starmer from leadership, warning that such a move would severely damage the party and alienate voters. Watson’s comments come amid growing frustration within Labour ranks over what some see as disappointing results in upcoming local elections.

The dispute comes at a time when the party is grappling with a series of internal issues, with some MPs and union leaders calling for a change in leadership following poor polling and expected losses in Thursday’s elections. Watson, who was instrumental in the 2006 attempt to oust Tony Blair, expressed his concerns in a public Substack post, where he recalled the divisive 2006 coup attempt that led to Blair’s eventual resignation.

“We cannot afford another Westminster psychodrama,” Watson said, emphasizing that any public letter calling for Starmer’s resignation would be catastrophic for Labour. “Voters will see a party talking to itself while the country is shouting at it,” he added, arguing that leadership changes would only divert attention from the party’s broader challenges.

Steve Reed, Labour’s housing secretary and a staunch ally of Starmer, also voiced his opposition to the idea of a leadership contest, insisting that it would lead to “annihilation” for the party. He emphasized that most Labour MPs did not support the notion of ousting Starmer, preferring to focus on defeating the Conservatives in the next general election rather than squabbling over leadership.

However, tensions within the party remain high, with figures like union leader Steve Wright continuing to call for Starmer’s departure if the party’s performance in Thursday’s elections is as disappointing as expected. Wright argued that if the results were particularly bad, Starmer would become “a sitting duck” for a leadership challenge.

In the face of these tensions, potential leadership contenders such as Andy Burnham, Angela Rayner, and Wes Streeting are reportedly waiting for the election results before making any moves. Sources within the party have described a “Mexican standoff” among the leading figures, with no one willing to make the first move in challenging Starmer’s leadership.

Despite the political infighting, some party insiders believe that a change in leadership might ultimately be necessary. One senior figure stated, “Plenty of MPs now think they might as well just roll the dice and that anything would be better than where we are now.” This sentiment reflects the growing frustration among certain factions of the party, who feel that Starmer’s leadership is leading Labour into a deep political hole.

For now, the Labour Party is preparing for what could be a tough few months, with Starmer’s leadership under increasing scrutiny. The local election results could prove to be a defining moment for both the leader and the party as a whole. It remains to be seen whether Starmer can weather this storm or if the internal pressure will finally force a change at the top.