Sir Keir Starmer has once again rejected calls for his resignation, stating he will not "walk away" as he sets out his plan for the "coming days". The Prime Minister's commitment comes after Labour suffered a devastating loss of more than 1,000 councillor seats in this week's local elections, with 30 Labour MPs publicly backing a change in leadership.
Starmer's Response to Electoral Defeat
Despite the mounting pressure, Starmer has insisted that stepping down would "plunge the country into chaos". In a statement, he acknowledged the need for a response but reaffirmed his determination to lead the party forward. "But that doesn't mean we don't need to respond. It doesn't mean we don't need to rebuild. It doesn't mean that we don't need to set out the path ahead," he said. "That's what I'm going to do in the coming days."
New Appointments as Part of 'Reset'
Starmer has already taken steps to address the crisis, appointing former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Baroness Harman to key government roles. Brown will serve as the Government's special envoy on global finance, while Baroness Harman will act as an adviser on women and girls, tasked with "eradicating structural misogyny" and bringing about "cultural change". These appointments are part of what Starmer has described as a "reset" for the Labour government.
Political Reactions
The announcements have drawn sharp criticism from opposition figures. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage described Labour as "doomed", stating: "An unpopular Prime Minister who lost a general election is now seen by Starmer as being the saviour. Labour are doomed." Meanwhile, Conservative economics spokesman Robert Jenrick sarcastically remarked: "Genius. Bring back the guy who gave away our gold reserves to advise on 'economic resilience'. What could possibly go wrong?"
Starmer's plan for the coming days is expected to outline the "convictions and values that drive him", as he seeks to rally his party and restore confidence following the electoral setback.
