The local election results last week transformed the political map in large parts of the West Midlands. But they also dealt a body blow to the government and have seen Labour MPs break cover and call for the resignation of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. High-profile government resignations, including that of Birmingham MP Jess Phillips, have followed.
For now, as the State Opening of Parliament takes place today, the PM appears to have staved off an all-out rebellion. Yesterday he said no official process had taken place to trigger a leadership challenge, and he would continue to govern. It was widely taken as a laying down of the gauntlet to any would-be challengers.
Below you can see what West Midlands MPs have been saying about the PM, whether in support or opposition, since the election results and tumultuous fallout.
Jess Phillips, Labour, Yardley
Jess Phillips has resigned from the government. She said: "I think you are a good man fundamentally, who cares about the right things however I have seen first-hand how that is not enough. The desire not to have an argument means we rarely make an argument, leaving opportunities for progress stalled and delayed. I want a Labour government to work and I will strive as I always have for its success and popularity, but I’m not seeing the change I think I, and the country expect, and so cannot continue to serve as a minister under the current leadership."
Shabana Mahmood, Labour, Ladywood
Shabana Mahmood is the Home Secretary and has moved quickly through the ranks of the Starmer government. She has been reported as privately calling for him to stand aside, but publicly has said little. Here's what she said on last week's elections: "A devastating night in Birmingham and across the country. Good public servants, colleagues and friends have lost their seats. This was a verdict on us not them. The PM has rightly said we must do better. It is a privilege to serve the British people and we must live up to it."
Pat McFadden, Labour, Wolverhampton South East
Pat McFadden said: "The PM will continue with his job, as he should. No one challenged [the Prime Minister]. The PM wants to carry on with his job."
Preet Gill, Labour, Edgbaston
Preet Gill has been a staunch supporter of the PM and yesterday gave a round of TV interviews backing his leadership. From her Facebook page: "Calls for leadership change are self-indulgent noise. Britain doesn’t need another round of political panic. It needs delivery, discipline, and focus. The Prime Minister, staying put is the only serious option on the table. Political courage not political panic is what is needed from my colleagues. We have a mandate to govern let’s get on with the serious job of delivering for the country. The only people that matter is the electorate!"
Paulette Hamilton, Labour, Erdington
Paulette Hamilton was also doing the TV rounds yesterday, but calling for the opposite of her colleague in Edgbaston. She has called on the PM to go, saying his name was toxic on the doorstep during the election campaign. She said: "The local elections were devastating. We lost outstanding councillors and candidates. On the doorstep, voters repeatedly told us the same thing, national issues and the party leadership meant they could no longer vote Labour. We now need an orderly transition to new leadership."
Tahir Ali, Labour, Hall Green
Tahir Ali said: "We've drifted away from our core values, picking the wrong battles and targeting the wrong people. It is clear the current leadership needs a total change in direction. We can't keep coasting without a real vision. It's time to stop the excuses and take serious steps to get this party back on track. The first step is for Keir Starmer to step down. But that is only the first step, we need to make sure real change follows."
Alex Ballinger, Labour, Halesowen
Alex Ballinger said: "I like the Prime Minister, he is a good and decent man. But it's clear from countless doorstep conversations that my constituents have lost confidence in him. Disastrous local election results across the Black Country only confirm this. I fear that if we continue on this course we risk handing the country to the far right. For that reason, I support a transition to a new leader, one who will be bolder, and one who can better articulate how Labour is changing our country for the better."
Cat Eccles, Labour, Stourbridge
Cat Eccles said: "The country sent Labour a warning on Thursday, and ignoring it would be a profound mistake. Voters are losing patience because they do not feel the benefits of Government decisions in their everyday lives. We need a serious change of direction, not cosmetic resets or better messaging, but policies that genuinely improve living standards and restore trust. If the leadership cannot deliver that change quickly and convincingly, then Keir Starmer must put the country and the party first and make way for a new leader capable of reconnecting Labour with the people it was elected to serve."
Mike Wood, Conservative, Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
Mike Wood said: "It's hard to see how he stays. Voters are clearly long past the point of believing that he can deliver for them, and now it's only the most career-focused of Labour backbenchers who are prepared to go out to bat for him. Sadly I am not sure that replacing Starmer will make a huge difference. All of the main contenders to replace him have been cheering him on over the past two years – the policies of not necessarily the communications or style – and so it's hard to see any of them taking a radically different approach to the challenges facing the country. The King will read out the legislative programme tomorrow morning. It will be Starmer's programme and it is unlikely that any replacement PM will deviate significantly from what is announced."
Neil Shastri-Hurst, Conservative, Solihull West & Shirley
Neil Shastri-Hurst said: "Nearly 80 Labour MPs have now withdrawn their support of Prime Minister Starmer. This is a Government not in control and hasn’t been for a long time. Britons are suffering from their misguided priorities - from scrapping jury trials, to low-growth economic policies which has increased unemployment and lagged defence spending - Britons simply deserve better than this."
