Speaking in the Commons ahead of his meetings with the ministers and MPs, Starmer promised reforms to areas including health, housing and immigration. (AP Photo)UK PM Political Crisis Highlights: British Health Secretary Wes Streeting is planning to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer by launching a leadership bid on Thursday, even as Starmer warns his ministers and MPs that a Labour leadership contest could result in “chaos.” BBC reported that Streeting would need the support of 81 MPs to trigger a leadership contest under the Labour Party’s rules.
A day earlier, King Charles III presented the UK government’s legislative program to Parliament, amid Starmer’s efforts to retain his position as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. Starmer has been urged to set a timetable for his departure by over a fifth of the Labour Party’s lawmakers in the House of Commons, the Associated Press reported.
The political crisis reportedly triggered by the latest arrival of local and regional election results has put the UK Prime Minister and the ruling Labour Party in a difficult position. The Labour party has lost hundreds of council seats, while the right-wing Reform UK made significant gains. The setback shocked many, with claims that the party was losing support among both conservatives and liberal voters amid the rise of Farage’s anti-immigration Reform movement.
Following the electoral defeat, reports claimed that more than 80 Labour ministers had urged Starmer to resign, either publicly or privately. Several cabinet ministers also resigned amid mounting pressure. Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips, Miatta fahnbulleh, Alex Davies-Jones, and Zubir Ahmed are among the ministers who have stepped down from their positions. Additionally, several Parliamentary Private Secretaries (PPS) have also resigned from their ministerial aide roles. Jess Philips, while resigning, allegedly accused the Starmer government of lacking urgency and avoiding difficult political battles.
Key developments so far:
- The Labour party suffered major losses across England, Scotland and Wales, while Nigel Farage’s Reform UK continued to gain popularity
- The Labour Party now reportedly fears losing votes among working-class voters, many of whom are believed to be shifting towards anti-immigration sentiment amid weak economic growth.
- Reports suggest that more than 80 MPs have called for Keir Starmer to resign as Prime Minister amid growing political pressure.
- Starmer has confirmed that he will not resign from his post.
- Four cabinet ministers have resigned so far.
- King Charles presents the government’s legislative program today amid the growing uncertainty.
UK PM Political Crisis Live Updates: Cleared of tax wrongdoing, UK Labour's Rayner calls on Starmer to 'reflect'
Former Deputy Prime Minister of United Kingdom Angela Rayner said Thursday that she had reached an agreement with tax authorities to clear up questions about her taxes that forced her to leave the Cabinet last September, Reuters reported.
Rayner told the Guardian newspaper that Starmer should “reflect on” his position, adding that she was ready to “play my part” in any leadership election if Streeting were to trigger a contest today.
"I'll play my part in doing everything we possibly can to deliver the change, because it's not a personal ambition, I know the difference it makes," she said, adding, "Whatever role I can play, I will keep pushing and pushing hard because I want the people out there at the moment who are really struggling ... to know that I'm putting all my energy into fighting for them."
She is the latest senior Labour politician to put pressure on Starmer, after multiple lawmakers called on him to set out a timetable for his departure on Wednesday. (Reuters)
UK PM Political Crisis Live Updates: UK's Reeves says don't risk economic stability amid speculation about PM Starmer
British finance minister Rachel Reeves Thursday said that now is not the time to put economic stability at risk, responding to data which showed the economy expanded unexpectedly in March, Reuters quoted.
Her comments come as speculation grows that Prime Minister Keir Starmer could face a leadership challenge as Health Secretary Wes Streeting is likely to launch a bid on Thursday. (Reuters)
UK PM Political Crisis Live Updates: Lawmakers issue letter saying it's 'no time' for leadership contest
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he has no intention to stand down, as he enjoys the support within the Labour party.
More than 100 lawmakers have signed a letter saying it is "no time" for a leadership contest.
"We should let him get on with doing his job, because he is a serious politician and these are very, very serious times," Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn told Sky News. (AP)
UK PM Political Crisis Live Updates: Health Secy Streeting likely to launch leadership bid today
British Health Secretary Wes Streeting is expected to launch a leadership bid as early as Thursday, the Associated Press reported quoting media reports.
Streeting, long been known to harbor ambitions to become the PM, met with Starmer earlier Wednesday for less than 20 minutes. Neither have discussed what was said, but Starmer's office insisted that the health secretary retains the prime minister's full support, AP quoted. (AP)
UK PM Political Crisis Live Updates: Starmer warns of ‘chaos’ amid speculation about Health Secy’s leadership challenge
Keir Starmer has warned his ministers and MPs that a Labour leadership contest could result in “chaos” amid speculation that Health Secretary Wes Streeting is planning to challenge him by launching a leadership bid on Thursday, BBC reported.
BBC reported that Streeting would need the support of 81 MPs to trigger a leadership contest under the Labour Party’s rules.
Speaking in the Commons ahead of his meetings with the ministers and MPs, Starmer promised reforms to areas including health, housing and immigration. (BBC)
UK PM Political Crisis Live Updates: Keir Starmer pledges ‘economic security’ in address to parliament
Keir Starmer, during his address, said that the government aims to "deliver on economic security". He praised government initiatives including measures on energy bills, raising the living wage, and the scrapping of the two-child benefit cap. Starmer also reiterated the UK's commitment to strengthening NATO and said the country would continue to support Ukraine.
UK PM Political Crisis Live Updates: Badenoch mocks potential Starmer successors in Commons speech
Kemi Badenoch, Conservative party member, named potential MP contenders who could emerge if Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigns.
Badenoch mentioned Angela Rayner, Wes Streeting, and Andy Burnham as possible successors while taking jabs at each of them.
She reportedly mocked Rayner by saying that although one candidate had quit vaping, they still ended up paying more taxes. Badenoch also claimed that Streeting had accidently revealed his ambitions to take over at No 10 and described Burnham as a proclaimed winner who had twice failed in his attempts to lead the Labour Party.
(With inputs from Guardian)
UK PM Political Crisis Live Updates | ‘In office, but not in power’: Kemi Badenoch jibe at Keir Starmer
A debate on the government's legislative agenda began in the House of Commons after King Charles III outlined the UK government's priorities for the coming year.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch opened her speech by praising the King before criticising Keir Starmer's latest political turmoil.
'The prime minister is in office, but not in power,' Badenoch said, as she pointed to growing political instability. She cited the four cabinet resignations and calls from 'nearly 100 MPs for Starmer's resignation', arguing that his leadership has lost its touch. Badenoch added that Starmer's government had 'run out of ideas and run out of road' after two years in office.
UK PM Political Crisis Live Updates: Wes Streeting supporters prepare leadership challenge against Keir Starmer
Supporters of Health Secretary Wes Streeting are reportedly preparing to challenge Keir Starmer's leadership with a possibility of tomorrow, according to BBC report.
On Wednesday, April 13, Streeting reportedly met with Starmer ahead of King Charles III's presentation of the UK government's legislative program. The meeting reportedly lasted less than 20 minutes, with details kept in "full confidence."
According to the party rules, any challenger seeking to unseat Starmer would reportedly need the support of at least 81 MPs. Under the process, Keir Stamer would not need to be nominated separately, as he would automatically be included as a candidate in the leadership contest.
UK PM Political Crisis Live Updates: Who could replace Keir Starmer?
Following the Labour party's electoral defeat, reports claimed that more than 80 Labour ministers had urged Starmer to step down from his position, either publicly or privately. Several Labour MPs also expressed disappointment and claimed that Starmer could soon resign from his post.
Challenging Starmer's position, Catherine West, a former junior minister at the Foreign Office, reportedly said that if the Cabinet failed to move against Starmer, she would launch a leadership challenge herself.
Potential successors whose name have surfaced include Health Secretary Wes Streeting and former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.
UK PM Political Crisis Live Updates: Keir Starmer's response to election defeat and local polls turnout
The crisis surrounding Keir Starmer began following the Labour Party's defeat in the country's local and regional elections. Local elections for 136 councils were held across the UK on May 7, and the results proved to be a major setback for the ruling Labour Party. The Nigel Farage's Reform UK and the Green Party of England and Wales emerged among the biggest gainers in vote share.
Reform UK secured 1,454 councillor posts, while Labour won only 1,068 seats. The Conservative Tory party won around 801 seats, and the Liberal Democrats secured 844 seats. The Green Party won 587 seats, while independent candidates claimed approximately 293 seats.
Keir Starmer described the election results as "very tough". He said, "We are not just facing dangerous times, but dangerous opponents," while alleging that political rivals could lead the country down a "very dark path." Starmer also promised to ban 'far-right agitators' from entering the country to speak at national rallies.
UK PM Political Crisis Live Updates: King Charles III speaks in House of Commons amid political turmoil
King Charles III presented the British government's legislative program for the upcoming year on Wednesday, amid the ongoing political uncertainty surrounding Keir Starmer and his efforts to retain his position as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
King Charles carried out the ceremonial opening of Parliament at Palace of Westminster. He began his speech by referring to the ongoing wars in the Middle East and stated that 'every element of the nation's energy, defence and economic security will be tested.' He also said the government would take action against antisemitism and pledged the government to defend 'British values of decency, tolerance and respect for difference under our common flag.'
King Charles also outlined new measures aimed at improving the UK's trading relations and strengthening the country's economic security. He hinted at a possible bill designed to strengthen ties with the European Union, called the 'European Partnership Bill'. The government also plans to introduce measures to tackle late payments and reduce the burden of unnecessary regulation through innovation.