{"id":20335,"date":"2026-05-12T15:36:57","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T15:36:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/britain-plunges-into-leadership-crisis-as-starmer-refuses-to-step-down\/"},"modified":"2026-05-12T15:36:57","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T15:36:57","slug":"britain-plunges-into-leadership-crisis-as-starmer-refuses-to-step-down","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/britain-plunges-into-leadership-crisis-as-starmer-refuses-to-step-down\/","title":{"rendered":"Britain plunges into leadership crisis as Starmer refuses to step down"},"content":{"rendered":"<div>\n<div data-testid=\"ad-sticky-container\" class=\"sc-37562b78-0 iLENDS\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 evuabm adWrapper noPrint sc-1c01c11e-0 jLbRED\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<header class=\"sc-ad76bc40-0 fNDZoQ\">\n<div class=\"sc-5cbbddda-0 hjlPcO\">\n<div data-testid=\"article-author\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-1 hPBdKJ\" readability=\"5.8153846153846\">\n<div readability=\"7.4769230769231\">\n<p data-testid=\"article-datetime\" class=\"sc-5cbbddda-5 hxoHkT\"><span class=\"sc-a243f860-0 gjmXPs\">Updated <time data-testid=\"storytile-timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-05-12T21:51:06+10:00\">May 12, 2026<!-- --> &mdash; 9:51pm<\/time>,<\/span><span aria-hidden=\"true\" data-testid=\"wbr-separator\" class=\"sc-a243f860-1 jIzAbi\"><\/span><span class=\"sc-a243f860-0 gjmXPs\">first published <time data-testid=\"storytile-timestamp\" datetime=\"2026-05-12T19:19:12+10:00\">7:19pm<\/time><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-0 efdRpd noPrint\" data-testid=\"article-actions\">\n<div class=\"sc-7132c98c-1 iddmiW\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 kbEYga\" readability=\"6.3137254901961\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 kmQlMe\"><svg fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 TUyao\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 gaKrMl\">Save<\/span><\/button>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 kskMyR sc-d1b14060-3 cpmcTK\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"8.0816326530612\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 JmUoF\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your saved list to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><button aria-label=\"Set font size to normal\" aria-pressed=\"true\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 yiNod\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to larger\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 frqtnv\">A<\/button><button aria-label=\"Set font size to very large\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"sc-f7fd8257-1 frqrHP\">A<\/button><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<aside class=\"sc-6f94ac39-6 esmrVF\"><\/aside>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"22.228373702422\">\n<p><strong>London<\/strong>: Britain has plunged into a leadership crisis after Labour MPs went public with calls for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to quit after devastating losses in elections last Thursday, with ministers also telling him to go.<\/p>\n<p>Starmer raised the stakes at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday morning in London (7pm Tuesday AEST), where he told colleagues he would not resign despite the calls from more than 70 MPs for a transition to a new leader.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.216%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/23c18e723caad26a529072e0d301fa94c3fc43f6, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.216%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/23c18e723caad26a529072e0d301fa94c3fc43f6 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.216%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/23c18e723caad26a529072e0d301fa94c3fc43f6, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.216%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/23c18e723caad26a529072e0d301fa94c3fc43f6 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been under mounting pressure.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.216,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/23c18e723caad26a529072e0d301fa94c3fc43f6\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.216%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/23c18e723caad26a529072e0d301fa94c3fc43f6, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.216%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/23c18e723caad26a529072e0d301fa94c3fc43f6 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/12-weeks-jail-for-school-it-support-technician-who-took-upskirt-videos-of-teachers\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">&lt;div&gt;12 weeks' jail for school IT support technician who took upskirt videos of teachers&lt;\/div&gt;<\/span><\/a><\/div><p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been under mounting pressure.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">AP<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>His move puts the onus on his critics, including Australian-born MP Catherine West, to launch a formal leadership contest and prove they not only have a large number of MPs but can also secure a majority of party members.<\/p>\n<p>Starmer argued in cabinet that he took responsibility for the election result but that the party had a process for a leadership election.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"23\">\n<p>&ldquo;The past 48 hours have been destabilising for government, and that has a real economic cost for our country and for families,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The Labour Party has a process for challenging a leader and that has not been triggered.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The country expects us to get on with governing. That is what I am doing and what we must do as a cabinet.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"internal-linking-related-contents\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/migrant-acquitted-in-first-trial-over-us-border-military-zones\/\" class=\"template-1\"><span class=\"cta\">News :<\/span><span class=\"postTitle\">Migrant acquitted in first trial over US border military zones<\/span><\/a><\/div><p>While the media has reported that three cabinet ministers have advised Starmer to set out a transition to his resignation, they have not gone public.<\/p>\n<p>The media has named Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper as the trio who put this to the prime minister.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"17\">\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.118%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/8ccd622440b53639a087ef9704d910a8a0f45a59, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.118%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/8ccd622440b53639a087ef9704d910a8a0f45a59 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.118%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/8ccd622440b53639a087ef9704d910a8a0f45a59, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.118%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/8ccd622440b53639a087ef9704d910a8a0f45a59 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who is reportedly among three cabinet ministers who advised Starmer to set out a transition to his resignation, arriving for Tuesday&rsquo;s meeting.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.118,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/8ccd622440b53639a087ef9704d910a8a0f45a59\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.118%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/8ccd622440b53639a087ef9704d910a8a0f45a59, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.118%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/8ccd622440b53639a087ef9704d910a8a0f45a59 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who is reportedly among three cabinet ministers who advised Starmer to set out a transition to his resignation, arriving for Tuesday&rsquo;s meeting.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">AP<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>One junior minister, Miatta Fahnbulleh, announced her resignation on Tuesday morning in London and called on Starmer to quit.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Our country faces enormous challenges and people are crying out for the scale of change that this requires,&rdquo; said Fahnbulleh, whose portfolio included communities and faith.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The public does not believe that you can lead this change &ndash; and nor do I.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.1%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/142c970921f194ec8e900f98657be64ea2c1ec3c, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.1%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/142c970921f194ec8e900f98657be64ea2c1ec3c 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.1%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/142c970921f194ec8e900f98657be64ea2c1ec3c, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.1%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/142c970921f194ec8e900f98657be64ea2c1ec3c 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Junior minister Miatta Fahnbulleh, pictured right with Starmer last week, announced her resignation on Tuesday morning and called for him to go.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.1,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/142c970921f194ec8e900f98657be64ea2c1ec3c\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.1%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/142c970921f194ec8e900f98657be64ea2c1ec3c, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.1%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/142c970921f194ec8e900f98657be64ea2c1ec3c 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>Junior minister Miatta Fahnbulleh, pictured right with Starmer last week, announced her resignation on Tuesday morning and called for him to go.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">Getty Images<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"25\">\n<p>Several ministers emerged from the cabinet meeting to declare their public support for Starmer and warn that the instability was rattling the financial markets and therefore increasing the interest bill on the nation&rsquo;s debt.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;This is not a game. This instability has consequences for people&rsquo;s lives,&rdquo; said Housing Secretary Steve Reed on X after the cabinet meeting.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The people who will be hurt most will be those that elected us less than two years ago. We must unite behind the Prime Minister.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/0fa0ebfcab04dde03a1632e05e5228e730f9385b, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/0fa0ebfcab04dde03a1632e05e5228e730f9385b 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/0fa0ebfcab04dde03a1632e05e5228e730f9385b, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/0fa0ebfcab04dde03a1632e05e5228e730f9385b 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Housing Secretary Steve Reed arrives for the cabinet meeting.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.378,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/0fa0ebfcab04dde03a1632e05e5228e730f9385b\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/0fa0ebfcab04dde03a1632e05e5228e730f9385b, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.378%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/0fa0ebfcab04dde03a1632e05e5228e730f9385b 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>Housing Secretary Steve Reed arrives for the cabinet meeting.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">Bloomberg<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Business Secretary Peter Kyle praised Starmer&rsquo;s &ldquo;steadfast leadership&rdquo; and backed him to stay in office. The Technology Secretary, Liz Kendall, said the prime minister had her full support. The Work and Pensions Secretary, Pat McFadden, also backed Starmer when he spoke to reporters in Downing Street after the meeting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"20.817948717949\">\n<p>Baroness Jenny Chapman, a Labour peer and close ally of Starmer, told Sky News after the cabinet meeting that no ministers spoke up against the prime minister.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Everybody actually acknowledged the strength of leadership that the prime minister has shown,&rdquo; said Chapman, the Minister of State for International Development.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-c8170ed7-0 kBAoLZ\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-c8170ed7-1 iHMtRN\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 VKgwt\" data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 kZkxVd\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2106%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_306%2C$y_77\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4399f7989c3546cd884291f170c2ad849970b3ba, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2106%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_306%2C$y_77\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/4399f7989c3546cd884291f170c2ad849970b3ba 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2106%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_306%2C$y_77\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4399f7989c3546cd884291f170c2ad849970b3ba, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2106%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_306%2C$y_77\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/4399f7989c3546cd884291f170c2ad849970b3ba 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"UK PM Keir Starmer has seemingly lost all support inside his party.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.2106,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_306,%24y_77\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/4399f7989c3546cd884291f170c2ad849970b3ba\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2106%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_306%2C$y_77\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/4399f7989c3546cd884291f170c2ad849970b3ba, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.2106%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_306%2C$y_77\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/4399f7989c3546cd884291f170c2ad849970b3ba 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ioInpc\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Chapman said she believed Starmer would contest any challenge against him and would win that challenge, but she acknowledged that Labour MPs were in pain over the election results last Thursday.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I think it would be the worst thing that we could do &ndash; to embark on a kind of process that leads to instability in the leadership of this country,&rdquo; she said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"25\">\n<p>&ldquo;It would be bad for our economy, but bad for our politics more generally, as well, if we were to do that.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>One of the ministers named most often as a leadership contender, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, made no comment to the media when he left the cabinet meeting.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"sc-4820f69c-1 ZrhPA\"><button aria-label=\"enlarge image\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-5 dyWwUw\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.099%2C$multiply_0.9841%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e4d6ba0dae04b3427a0710e210199979075818ad, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.099%2C$multiply_1.9683%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/e4d6ba0dae04b3427a0710e210199979075818ad 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.099%2C$multiply_1.0159%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e4d6ba0dae04b3427a0710e210199979075818ad, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.099%2C$multiply_2.0317%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/e4d6ba0dae04b3427a0710e210199979075818ad 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Health Secretary Wes Streeting departs.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.099,%24multiply_0.7725,%24ratio_1.5,%24width_756,%24x_0,%24y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/e4d6ba0dae04b3427a0710e210199979075818ad\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.099%2C$multiply_0.7725%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/e4d6ba0dae04b3427a0710e210199979075818ad, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.099%2C$multiply_1.545%2C$ratio_1.5%2C$width_756%2C$x_0%2C$y_0\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/e4d6ba0dae04b3427a0710e210199979075818ad 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ldCIuB\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<p><svg viewbox=\"0 0 38 38\" height=\"38px\" width=\"38px\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-4 iMiYlW\"><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 22.029383, 7.619553)\"><path d=\"M1 8l6.36396103-6.36396103M8 7V1H2\"><\/path><\/g><g stroke=\"#F4F5F7\" stroke-width=\"2\" fill=\"none\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" stroke-linecap=\"round\" stroke-linejoin=\"round\" transform=\"matrix(1, 0, 0, 1, 7.0731, 21.523087)\"><path d=\"M8 1L1.63603897 7.36396103M1 2v6h6\"><\/path><\/g><\/svg><\/p><\/button><figcaption data-testid=\"figure-caption\" class=\"sc-4820f69c-0 SuAZY\"><span>Health Secretary Wes Streeting departs.<\/span><cite class=\"sc-4820f69c-2 jfXEoI\"><span class=\"sc-4820f69c-3 jfhtQZ\">Getty Images<\/span><\/cite><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The other principal contender is Andy Burnham, the left-wing mayor of Greater Manchester, but he is not in parliament and would need time to find a seat in the House of Commons before mounting a challenge. Starmer&rsquo;s allies blocked him from contesting a byelection last year.<\/p>\n<p>Starmer prepared for the cabinet meeting by making a speech to supporters and the media on Monday morning (Monday night AEST) to warn that a leadership change would plunge the government into chaos.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"27.070815450644\">\n<p>&ldquo;I know that people are frustrated by the state of Britain, frustrated by politics, and some people, frustrated with me,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;I know I have my doubters and I know I need to prove them wrong &ndash; and I will.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>He used the address, made to a relatively small group but televised live, to announce the nationalisation of British Steel and set out his plans for stronger ties with Europe.<\/p>\n<aside data-testid=\"related-story\" class=\"sc-c8170ed7-0 kBAoLZ\">\n<h2 data-testid=\"related-story-heading\" class=\"sc-c8170ed7-1 iHMtRN\">Related Article<\/h2>\n<div class=\"sc-679b6ed4-0 VKgwt\" data-an-position=\"1\" imagepositions=\"top\" data-testid=\"story-tile\">\n<figure imagesizes=\"[object Object]\" class=\"sc-8825a2fb-0 kZkxVd\">\n<div class=\"sc-d34e428-0 ikzfwY\"><picture><source media=\"(min-width: 1000px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.1765%2C$multiply_0.2805%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_27\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ea868176a8fc4caeda4719531abaa42e83745423, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.1765%2C$multiply_0.5609%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_27\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/ea868176a8fc4caeda4719531abaa42e83745423 2x\"><source media=\"(min-width: 750px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.1765%2C$multiply_0.2842%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_27\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ea868176a8fc4caeda4719531abaa42e83745423, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.1765%2C$multiply_0.5685%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_27\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/ea868176a8fc4caeda4719531abaa42e83745423 2x\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Wigan Pier.\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/%24zoom_0.1765,%24multiply_0.5127,%24ratio_1.777778,%24width_1059,%24x_0,%24y_27\/t_crop_custom\/q_86,f_auto\/ea868176a8fc4caeda4719531abaa42e83745423\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.1765%2C$multiply_0.5127%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_27\/t_crop_custom\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/ea868176a8fc4caeda4719531abaa42e83745423, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/$zoom_0.1765%2C$multiply_1.0255%2C$ratio_1.777778%2C$width_1059%2C$x_0%2C$y_27\/t_crop_custom\/q_62%2Cf_auto\/ea868176a8fc4caeda4719531abaa42e83745423 2x\" class=\"sc-d34e428-1 ioInpc\"><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Within hours of the address, however, more MPs went public with calls for him to set out a pathway to his resignation, and the British press reported that at least 70 wanted him to go.<\/p>\n<p>Labour has 403 members in the House of Commons and the party rules say that a spill can only be launched if 20 per cent of that group, which amounts to 81 in the current parliament, put their names to a formal document asking for the vote.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 yKpxh adWrapper noPrint sc-6f94ac39-3 fDyKLW\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-c502198b-0 NkURW\" readability=\"19.487288135593\">\n<p>The formal call for a vote then triggers an election of the Labour Party membership. About 161,000 members voted in the ballot that chose Lucy Powell as deputy leader last October.<\/p>\n<p>By noon on Tuesday in London (9pm AEST) the British press were reporting that 81 MPs were calling for a transition to a new leader, enough to force a leadership contest.<\/p>\n<p>West declared on Saturday that she would stand for the leadership to trigger a vote if Starmer did not quit, but she changed tack on Monday and said she wanted a pathway to deciding a new leader by September.<\/p>\n<p><strong><i>Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on what&rsquo;s making headlines around the world.<\/i> <i class=\"exceeded-words\">Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter<\/i><i>.<\/i><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div data-testid=\"article-footer\" class=\"sc-780f6c39-0 fWnQtB\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-1 bhFzjY noPrint\">\n<div class=\"sc-780f6c39-2 ksUUFP\">\n<div class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-0 kbEYga sc-780f6c39-3 fMMhlQ\" readability=\"6.3137254901961\"><button aria-checked=\"false\" aria-label=\"Save article to read later\" role=\"switch\" type=\"button\" class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-1 kmQlMe\"><svg fill=\"none\" height=\"24\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"1.5\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" width=\"24\" class=\"sc-d1b14060-0 TUyao\"><path d=\"M5.75 4C5.75 3.86193 5.86193 3.75 6 3.75H18C18.1381 3.75 18.25 3.86193 18.25 4L18.25 19.7709L12.8004 16.9682C12.2981 16.7099 11.7019 16.7099 11.1996 16.9682L5.75 19.7709L5.75 4Z\"><\/path><\/svg><span class=\"sc-f9e3ccff-2 gaKrMl\">Save<\/span><\/button>\n<div aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"sc-ba6ddcd9-0 yEdFV sc-d1b14060-3 cpmcTK\" role=\"tooltip\" readability=\"8.0816326530612\">\n<p class=\"sc-d1b14060-4 JmUoF\">You have reached your maximum number of saved items.<\/p>\n<p>Remove items from your saved list to add more.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-0 ksyHqK\">\n<div class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-1 LVIFj\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"David Crowe\" data-testid=\"author-avatar-image\" height=\"40\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40,h_40,c_fill,g_auto:faces\/q_86,f_auto\/64ce109be56ceea0d7f4eb381757b1cddf9ee9b3\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_40,h_40,c_fill,g_auto:faces\/q_86,f_auto\/64ce109be56ceea0d7f4eb381757b1cddf9ee9b3, https:\/\/static.ffx.io\/images\/w_80%2Ch_80%2Cc_fill%2Cg_auto:faces\/q_86%2Cf_auto\/64ce109be56ceea0d7f4eb381757b1cddf9ee9b3 2x\" width=\"40\" class=\"sc-9a01536c-0 libeSR\"><span data-testid=\"author-bio\" class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-3 cVMGnz\"><span>David Crowe is Europe correspondent for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.<\/span><span class=\"sc-b5b9fd03-4 gMBkSk\">Connect via X<span> or <\/span>email.<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"sc-3dbe4134-0 iIZygf sc-df8e6ee0-0 noPrint\" data-an-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-group=\"everything\" data-an-cu-name=\"From our partners\" data-an-cu-position=\"4\" data-testid=\"from-our-partners-strap\">\n<header class=\"sc-84567ec1-0 hpMljf\">\n<h2 data-pb-type=\"hi\" class=\"sc-84567ec1-1 weWOF\"><span>From our partners<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"sc-df8e6ee0-1 iJvgCK\">\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 blRVQF adWrapper noPrint sc-df8e6ee0-2 gcpFZE\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"sc-54c4a04e-0 blRVQF adWrapper noPrint sc-df8e6ee0-3 fIPZKC\" data-testid=\"ad\"><small class=\"sc-54c4a04e-2 dhgkTF\">Advertisement<\/small><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<p><sub>Britain plunges into leadership crisis as Starmer refuses to step down<\/sub><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Advertisement Updated May 12, 2026 &mdash; 9:51pm,first published 7:19pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. AAA London: Britain has plunged into a leadership crisis after Labour MPs went public with calls for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to quit after devastating losses in&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"more-link-wrap\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/britain-plunges-into-leadership-crisis-as-starmer-refuses-to-step-down\/\" class=\"more-link\">Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &ldquo;Britain plunges into leadership crisis as Starmer refuses to step down&rdquo;<\/span> &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":20336,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20335","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20335","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=20335"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20335\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20336"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=20335"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=20335"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jobuzo.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=20335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}