STARMER FACES PRESSURE TO RESIGN AMID LOCAL ELECTION SETBACKS

LONDON (AP) — U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is fighting for his political survival after a disastrous set of results in local elections for his Labour Party last week.

Dozens of Labour lawmakers are calling on Starmer to resign, though several ministers publicly spoke of their support for Starmer as they left a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.

The prime minister has insisted he has no intention of resigning. Starmer could be forced out if his Labour Party members tell him he has lost too much support within the party, but those opponents will need to agree on a candidate to replace him. So far, no formal leadership challenge has been triggered.

In a blow to Starmer, a junior minister became the first member of his government to quit. However, Starmer is vowing to stay on for now.

A cabinet member in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government stated that there was no direct challenge to his leadership at Tuesday’s meeting. Jenny Chapman, minister of international development, expressed her belief that Starmer’s authority had not been destroyed by the calls for his resignation.

“That’s not what I have just seen around the Cabinet table,” she told reporters outside 10 Downing St. “I saw a Cabinet united and focused on dealing with the issues that are confronting the British people.”

U.K. Health Secretary Wes Streeting, long believed to be preparing for a leadership challenge against Starmer, did not comment as he left the Cabinet meeting at Downing Street, ignoring shouted questions from reporters.

Business Secretary Peter Kyle voiced support for the embattled Prime Minister, stating Starmer is showing “really steadfast leadership.” Kyle noted that the Cabinet meeting discussed the economy and societal issues, mentioning his upcoming trip to Brussels to strengthen the U.K.'s relationship with the European Union.

A U.K. official confirmed that nobody had yet made a challenge to Starmer’s leadership. Liz Kendall, secretary of science, innovation and technology, reiterated the prime minister's focus on the pressing challenges facing the country, including the crisis in the Middle East and the cost of living.

Kendall stated, “This government will do what we were elected to do, which is serve the British people. The prime minister has my full support in this.”

U.K. Treasury chief Rachel Reeves withdrew from a London risk summit after attending a Cabinet meeting. Her place will be taken by Treasury minister Lucy Rigby.

Housing Secretary Steve Reed urged Labour Party colleagues to rally behind Starmer during this turbulent time, emphasizing that instability could have serious consequences for constituents. Reed stated on social media, “This is not a game. This instability has consequences for people’s lives.”

Starmer has reiterated his commitment to remain in office, taking responsibility for the Labour Party's losses in last week’s local elections. He emphasized that the country expects the government to continue its work, stating, “The country expects us to get on with governing. That is what I am doing and what we must do.”

Starmer lost the first member of his government on Tuesday as Miatta Fahnbulleh, housing, communities and local government minister, resigned, calling on Starmer to “do the right thing for the country” and set a timetable for stepping aside.

While the next U.K. national election is not due until 2029, British politics allows for midterm leadership changes without a general election. Should it come to that, Starmer's resignation could trigger a leadership election, although he could also face challenges from Labour lawmakers if he chooses not to resign.

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2026-05-12T11:58:40Z