Thirteen Labour MPs have called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign just hours after polling stations closed for the local elections. Britons across the country voted on May 7 to determine their local councillors, and the results have been catastrophic for Labour, with Reform UK sweeping in to take control of several traditional Labour strongholds in the West Midlands, including Sandwell and Walsall.
Starmer Admits Results Are 'Tough'
Prime Minister Keir Starmer acknowledged the results were 'tough' for Labour, stating: 'These are tough results for Labour. There's no sugarcoating it. We've lost brilliant Labour representatives who've stood up for their communities. People are still frustrated. Their lives aren't changing fast enough. We haven't offered enough hope or optimism for the future.' He added that such days strengthen his determination to change the country.
Labour MPs Calling for Starmer to Go
The following 13 Labour MPs have publicly called for the Prime Minister's departure:
- John McDonnell told NBC that 'we could lose the Labour party' while Starmer is leading.
- Clive Lewis wrote on X that Starmer 'has reached the point where the question is no longer whether he can recover. It is whether, by staying on, he does lasting damage to Labour's ability to govern, rebuild trust, and stop the advance of the right. That is why a timetable for his departure is now necessary.'
- Ian Lavery told the BBC: 'Keir Hardie started the Labour Party... It could be another Keir – Keir Starmer – that could end the party forever.'
- Jonathan Brash emphasised his call for resignation to GB News after his wife lost her seat as leader of Hartlepool Council.
- Sarah Owen said: 'Unless Keir Starmer delivers tangible change and truly connects with the public on a human level, he can't lead us into another election. People want politics and politicians who are upfront and true to their values.'
- Simon Opher stated: 'The Prime Minister cannot take our party into the next general election. We owe it to our members, elected representatives, and the country, to set aside pride and ambition.'
- David Baines told BBC News that Starmer is not the right person to lead Labour into the next general election, saying: 'There's no doubt his popularity has plummeted and we've heard it on the doorstep.'
- Louise Haigh told ITV that Starmer 'cannot lead us into another election' unless the Government delivers significant change.
- Graham Stringer said: 'I don't think he can fight the next election if the Labour Party wants to survive.'
- Richard Burgon said: 'It is clear that Keir has fought his last election as Labour leader and, deep down, he will know it. The party should now work towards a timetable for an orderly transition to a new leader by the end of this year.'
- Conor Naismith remarked: 'In the wake of these catastrophic local elections results, with regret, it is clear to me that we need new leadership.'
- Anneliese Midgley told The Guardian: 'The results here and across the North are beyond our worst expectations. It's truly devastating. Unless that changes significantly and quickly it's clear the PM can't lead us into another election. It was a mistake to block Andy Burnham in Gorton & Denton and if a situation arises, he should not be blocked again.'
- Olivia Blake told The Independent that the PM 'needs to think about his position' and that there needs to be an 'orderly plan' for a post-Starmer Labour party.
The calls for resignation come as Reform UK made significant gains, particularly in the West Midlands, where Labour strongholds like Sandwell and Walsall fell to the insurgent party. The full results for Birmingham are still awaited.
