UK Turmoil: Senior Ministers Urge Prime Minister Keir Starmer to Resign

According to multiple reports in Britain, senior officials in Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government have explicitly called on him to step aside. The Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary, David Lammy, asked him to set a clear timetable for his resignation, while Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, along with other senior ministers, went to his official residence at 10 Downing Street and exerted direct pressure on him to resign.

Nearly 80 Labour Members of Parliament publicly called on Starmer to step down yesterday. At least five junior ministers resigned in protest after he refused to do so.

In a speech he delivered yesterday morning, Starmer said: "I know there are people who are frustrated with me; I will prove the critics wrong. We will be better in the months and years ahead, and if not—the country will plunge onto a very dark path." Earlier, on Sunday, he made it clear that he has no intention of resigning and that he intends to lead Labour into the general election in three years' time.

The current crisis erupted in full force after the heavy defeat suffered by the Labour Party in last weekend's local and regional elections. The party lost hundreds of representatives across England, Wales, and Scotland, in what is seen as a direct vote of no confidence in its leadership. At the same time, Nigel Farage's "Reform" party continues to strengthen significantly, alongside a rise in the Green Party's support.

Starmer himself chose to direct his fire at Farage, who was among the leaders of the Brexit campaign in the previous decade, which ended with Britain leaving the European Union: "Did it make us richer? No, we are poorer". He later added: "Did it reduce immigration? No, it's now through the roof; did it make us safer? No".

If Starmer does indeed resign, the next Labour leader would automatically also become the Prime Minister of Britain. One of the prominent figures being floated as a possible candidate is Angela Rayner, considered close to Starmer and who previously served as his deputy. Although she resigned amid a financial and real-estate controversy, she still enjoys significant public popularity.

Another name emerging as a leading contender is Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, considered a popular figure with good chances to lead Labour. According to assessments, the demand that Starmer not resign immediately but rather outline a clear timetable is intended, among other things, to allow a political move that would bring Burnham back to Parliament and enable him to run for the party leadership.