Published: 12:34 AM, 13 May 2026
UK PM Starmer refuses to resign
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told his Cabinet on Tuesday that a move by rebellious Labour MPs to oust him had not crossed the threshold to trigger a leadership contest.
A defiant Mr Starmer warned his top team that the past 48 hours of manoeuvrings had been destabilising for the government.
Earlier, one of his closest aides said Mr Starmer was "listening and talking to colleagues" about his future after scores of Labour MPs revolted against his leadership.
Seventy-five of Labour's 403 MPs have demanded Mr Starmer stand down after the ruling party's electoral mauling last week. A split has developed in his Cabinet, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood reportedly urging him to consider his position, while government aides and three ministers have quit their posts.
Mr Starmer faced a so-called extraordinary Cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning, with senior ministers divided over how best to move forwards and concerns among members about plunging the party into a potential leadership contest.
He told ministers that a leadership challenge "has not been triggered" and "the country expects us to get on with governing". According to a statement released by Downing Street, Mr Starmer told the Cabinet: "As I said yesterday, I take responsibility for these election results and I take responsibility for delivering the change we promised.
"The past 48 hours have been destabilising for government and that has a real economic cost for our country and for families. The Labour Party has a process for challenging a leader and that has not been triggered. The country expects us to get on with governing. That is what I am doing and what we must do as a Cabinet."
Shortly after, Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips resigned, writing in a letter to the Prime Minister of her concerns about slow progress made by the Labour government: "I'm not sure we are grasping this rare opportunity with the gusto that's needed and I cannot keep waiting around for a crisis to push for faster progress."
She said she believed Sir Keir Starmer was a "good man" but that is "not enough". She joined fellow ministers Alex Davies-Jones and Miatta Fahnbulleh out of the door.
The government's Chief Secretary Darren Jones earlier refused to comment on whether the beleaguered leader should stay on in No 10 Downing Street. While it was conceded that Mr Starmer would be talking to colleagues "about the issues" they have raised, Mr Jones was "not going to get ahead of any decision the Prime Minister may or may not take in the future".
He repeatedly said Mr Starmer was "listening to colleagues, and he's talking to colleagues … I can't say what decision he may or may not take. I think it's right for any leader to listen to their colleagues, even if they have different views. Obviously he will disagree with those colleagues who say he should resign."
>>Shamim Ahmed,UK
