Which Labour MPs are calling for Starmer to go – and who is still backing PM?

Close to 100 Labour MPs are calling on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign or announce a timetable for his resignation after the party performed dismally in local and devolved elections.

Labour has lost control of more than 30 councils across England, along with around 1,500 councillors, while the party has been reduced to a rump in Wales, with First Minister Eluned Morgan losing her seat in the Senedd.

Scottish Labour has failed to make any significant headway against the SNP, with their vote share down on the last election in 2021.

As of 10am on Friday, 97 Labour MPs are now calling for the Prime Minister’s resignation.

Suspended Labour MPs Diane Abbott and Karl Turner have also called for Keir Starmer to resign. If a leadership contest is triggered, Abbott and Turner would be unable to make a PLP nomination, but would be able to vote in a ballot of all party members.

Keir Starmer has remained defiant, with a government source claiming that the Prime Minister is “not listening” to demands for his resignation, with 111 Labour MPs signing a statement of support backing the PM.

He told the Cabinet: “The past 48 hours have been destabilising for government and that has a real economic cost for our country and for families. The Labour Party has a process for challenging a leader and that has not been triggered. The country expects us to get on with governing. That is what I am doing and what we must do as a Cabinet.”

Here is LabourList’s tracker of MPs calling for the Prime Minister’s resignation – as well as those opposed to any change of the party’s leadership. We will update this over the weekend as more MPs signal their position…

Full list of Labour MPs calling for Starmer’s resignation or timetable for departure

Debbie Abrahams (Oldham East and Saddleworth)

Chair of the Work and Pensions Select Committee Debbie Abrahams said on Sky News that the Prime Minister should “set out a transition” and “step down in the autumn”.

Tahir Ali (Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley)

In a post on social media, Tahir Ali said: “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.”

Zubir Ahmed (Glasgow South West)

Zubir Ahmed resigned as a health minister and called on the Prime Minister to resign, saying in a letter to Keir Starmer: “I ask you for the sake of urgency and national unity to step aside and set a timetable for an expedient and orderly transition to new leadership that commands the confidence of our country.”

Tonia Antoniazzi (Gower)

In a statement on social media, Antoniazzi said: “Sir Keir Starmer is a man of great integrity who has led the Labour Party through difficult times. There will be those that disagree with me but I think it is genuinely time for him to step aside as PM in an orderly manner.”

James Asser (West Ham and Beckton)

In a statement, James Asser said: “If we are to regain the trust of people in communities like mine (and rebuild our historic support) we need to provide leadership, a vision for the future and for people to understand what Labour and the government stands for.

“I do not believe that the Prime Minister can offer that. I think it is time for him to stand aside to allow others to present their ideas and provide the fresh leadership and direction to the party and to the country that the voters have told us they want.”

Jas Athwal (Ilford South)

In a statement, Jas Athwal said: “It is with deep regret that I conclude it is in the national interest for Sir Keir Starmer to step down as Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party. This must happen in a smooth, dignified and orderly way so the Party can choose new leadership and get back to the work people elected us to do.”

David Baines (St Helens North)

David Baines told the BBC that Keir Starmer is not the right person to lead Labour into the next general election. He said: “When you’re the leader, the buck stops with you. There’s no doubt his popularity has plummeted and we’ve heard it on the doorstep.”

Richard Baker (Glenrothes and Mid Fife)

The chair of the Scottish Labour PLP Richard Baker said that the campaign in Scotland was “crowded out by an unrelenting focus on our travails at Westminster” and said: “With great regret, I am therefore joining calls for the Prime Minister to set a date for his departure and for the party, including our trade unions, to engage in the debate we now need for the future leadership of our party and, most importantly, our country.”

Alex Ballinger (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. 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.”

Paula Barker (Liverpool Wavertree)

In a post on social media, Paula Barker said that Labour needs to “reconnect with our roots, our values and the communities we were founded to serve”, adding: “We need to agree a clear timetable for change and deliver an orderly transition through an open and transparent contest.”

Lorraine Beavers (Blackpool North and Fleetwood)

In a Facebook post, Lorraine Beavers said she is calling for a timeline to be announced for the selection of a new leader.

She said: “We must have a new leader in place well in advance of next year’s local elections.”

Apsana Begum (Poplar and Limehouse)

In a post on social media, Begum said the election results “point to one of the most unpopular Labour Governments in modern history”. She said: “To avert the ultimate disaster of a Reform Government, there needs to be a superspeed change, in both leadership and policy.”

Clive Betts (Sheffield South East)

Clive Betts said that the public had “by and large… stopped listening to Keir” and that voters had “made their minds up” about his leadership. He said: “What people said repeatedly was we might vote Labour, we’ve always voted Labour, we might vote Labour again but not while Keir is the leader. It was repeated over and over again. That’s a real problem going forward. I don’t think rebooting and refreshing is going to make any difference.”

Matt Bishop (Forest of Dean)

Matt Bishop told Sky News’ Sam Coates that the Prime Minister no longer had his support.

Olivia Blake (Sheffield Hallam)

Olivia Blake told The Independent that Keir Starmer “needs to think about his position” and that there needs to be an “orderly plan” for a post-Starmer Labour Party.

Jonathan Brash (Hartlepool)

Jonathan Brash called on the Prime Minister to resign in April – and said it was a case of “if, not when” Starmer will leave Downing Street. Brash has repeated his comments since the local election results and said Starmer should “set out a timetable for his departure”.

Julia Buckley (Shrewsbury)

In a post on Facebook, Julia Buckley said: “If he is not able to boldly embrace our core values, so people at home can feel the benefits of this Labour Government’s domestic agenda by the end of the year, then Keir must do the right thing, put the country first and announce an orderly transition to a new leader.”

Richard Burgon (Leeds East)

Richard Burgon, secretary of the Socialist Campaign Group, 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.”

Maureen Burke (Glasgow North East)

In a post on social media, Maureen Burke said: “Our party owes Keir a debt of gratitude for his leadership, but we are bigger than one person. With a heavy heart, I am calling on the Prime Minister to set out a timetable for his departure and for our party to have a period of reflection with any and all candidates willing to have the chance to put themselves forward.”

Ian Byrne (Liverpool West Derby)

In a post on social media, Ian Byrne said that Labour’s natural voting base turned away “because we have failed to address the deep-seated decline they see in their public services and communities”.

He said: “The Prime Minister has reached the point where the question is no longer whether he can recover, but whether staying on causes lasting damage to Labour’s ability to rebuild trust and stop the advance of the right. The longer this drags on, the greater the damage to the party and the country.

“The Prime Minister must now set out a clear timetable for his departure, and restore our party’s democratic processes for selecting candidates, which have been shamefully eroded in recent years.”

Irene Campbell (North Ayrshire and Arran)

In a post on social media, Irene Campbell said that voters were “very angry with Labour citing many mistakes and U-turns” and that, while she will listen to what the Prime Minister has to say tomorrow, “we must fully consider what happened, why it happened and what we do to address this – I believe the solution is likely to be a full and democratic contest to allow an orderly transition of leadership and for this to be achieved by the end of the year”.

Markus Campbell-Savours (Penrith and Soloway)

Markus Campbell-Savours said that while the Prime Minister is a decent, principled and kind man, “his leadership is not working… his position is now untenable and colleagues should have the courage to say publicly what many have said privately for months”.

Sam Carling (North West Cambridgeshire)

Sam Carling, the youngest MP in the House of Commons, said: “I join Labour colleagues from across the United Kingdom in urging the Prime Minister to step down for the sake of our movement and the people we serve.”

Lizzi Collinge (Morecambe and Lunesdale)

In a statement on Facebook, Lizzi Collinge said: “It is clear to me that the Prime Minister has now lost the confidence of the country. It is for this reason that I am now calling on the Prime Minister to step back and arrange an orderly transition to new leadership.”

Beccy Cooper (Worthing West)

Co-chair of the Tribune Group Beccy Cooper said in a post on Instagram: “I listened to the Prime Minister’s speech this morning and it did not assuage the concerns that I have heard on our Worthing West doorsteps. We will need a bold direction to address this grim cost-of-living crisis and to build better lives for all. I am therefore calling for him [Starmer] to set out a timetable for an orderly transition to a new leadership team, to be completed by the end of this year.”

Jen Craft (Thurrock)

In a statement on social media, Jen Craft said: “It is after much consideration, and with a heavy heart, that I have decided the Prime Minister must step aside. Around the country, including in my own constituency, people have been crystal clear that they are frustrated with the pace of change. It is time for a change in leadership – for someone to set out a clear, strategic vision and direction for our party and for the country.”

Chris Curtis (Milton Keynes North)

Leader of the Labour Growth Group Chris Curtis said on Sky News: “It is clear the Prime Minister does not have a credible plan. He must now set out a timetable for departure – but the process to replace him cannot be a coronation.”

Paul Davies (Colne Valley)

Paul Davies said that voters in his constituency and across the country had sent Labour a clear message – “we have to have bolder progressive measures in place to address the cost of living crisis that so many of our people still face”.

He said: “I believe we have the capability within the Labour Party to do this. However, it is now very clear that is not possible with the current leadership left in place. Regrettably, I feel there is no alternative but to ask the Prime Minister to do the right thing for the country and arrange for an orderly hand over of his role once his replacement has been duly selected.”

Alex Davies-Jones (Pontypridd)

Alex Davies-Jones has resigned as a government minister and said to the Prime Minister: “I implore you to act in the country’s interest and set out a timetable for your departure.”

Anna Dixon (Shipley)

Speaking to BBC Politics North, Anna Dixon said: “I don’t believe the public have any confidence that the Prime Minister can take us successfully into the next set of elections. He (Starmer) needs to take hold of his and plan for an orderly transition.”

Graeme Downie (Dunfermline and Dollar)

In a statement, Graeme Downie said: “The Prime Minister is a decent and honourable man who has served the country with dignity and integrity. But last week’s election results delivered a clear message from voters across the country. Too many people told me they do not feel that their lives are improving fast enough.

“I have reluctantly come to the conclusion that for the good of the country the Prime Minister should now step down and allow others to build on the foundations he has laid.”

Neil Duncan-Jordan (Poole)

Neil Duncan-Jordan also called on Keir Starmer to consider his position over the Mandelson saga in February. He said at the time: “The entire Mandelson affair has highlighted some really fundamental issues around trust, confidence and judgement. We promised to do politics differently, but everything now looks tainted and grubby. All those responsible must seriously consider their positions.”

Cat Eccles (Stourbridge)

In a statement, Cat Eccles said that, unless the Prime Minister could deliver change “quickly and convincingly”, 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”.

Bill Esterson (Sefton Central)

Bill Esterson told Bloomberg: “Keir has to announce he is stepping down in the national interest and allow people to support their preferred candidate to take the country forward. It is clearly unsustainable for him to continue.”

Miatta Fahnbulleh (Peckham)

Miatta Fahnbulleh resigned as a junior minister and in a letter to the Prime Minister said: “Our country faces enormous challenges and people are crying out for the scale of change that this requires. The public does not believe that you can lead this change – and nor do I. Therefore, I urge you to do the right thing for the country and the party and set a timetable for an orderly transition so that a new team can deliver the change we promised the country.”

Josh Fenton-Glynn (Calder-Valley)

Josh Fenton-Glynn told BBC Radio 5 Live the Prime Minister must set out a timetable for an “orderly transition” to a new leader. He said the Prime Minister “has done a great job” but that “his voice doesn’t cut through”, adding that the May election results were the “public sending a message.”

Paul Foster (South Ribble)

In a statement on social media, Paul Foster said: “It pains me to say this because I am a loyal person by nature, and I do not come to this conclusion lightly. But it is with great regret that I believe the party now needs a change of direction and, ultimately, a new leader.”

Mary Kelly Foy (City of Durham)

In a statement on social media, Mary Kelly Foy said: “Apologies won’t cut it any longer. I know I might disappoint some Labour members by saying this, but we’ve reached an existential crisis. Labour lies on its death bed – with the only realistic cure being a change in direction and a change in leadership.”

Barry Gardiner (Brent West)

In an interview with GB News, Barry Gardiner said: “Leadership brings with it responsibilities, and this defeat is Keir Starmer’s responsibility – and that’s why I think he should accept that responsibility and he should stand aside. Not stand aside for the sake of the Labour Party, but to stand aside for the sake of the country.”

Alan Gemmell (Central Ayrshire)

In a statement, Alan Gemmell said: “I listened to the Prime Minister today. Sadly I don’t believe he can lead us to into, and win, the next election therefore he must now set a date for his departure.”

Ben Goldsborough (South Norfolk)

Ben Goldsborough told The Times: “I believe our movement can still deliver the change people desperately want and deserve. But I no longer believe the Prime Minister can lead that change.”

Louise Haigh (Sheffield Heeley)

Former Transport Secretary and co-chair of the Tribune Group Louise Haigh said that Keir Starmer “cannot lead us into another election” unless there is significant change. She told ITV: “He [Keir Starmer] is doing an incredible job on the international stage in the middle of global instability and a war, and it is imperative that he is successful in that role because our constituents’ livelihoods are dependent on it, but I think what is abundantly clear is that unless the government delivers significant and urgent change, then the Prime Minister cannot lead us into another election.”

Sarah Hall (Warrington South)

In a statement, Sarah Hall said: “We cannot respond to this moment with another reset, another relaunch or more rhetoric. This moment demands radical ambition, unapologetically rooted in the lives of working people. The people of Warrington South and across the country want to see a government with purpose, conviction and the courage to change course.

“That is why, for the good of my constituents and the country, I am calling on the Prime Minister to set out a clear timetable for his resignation, with an orderly transition of leadership to take place by September.”

Paulette Hamilton (Birmingham Erdington)

Speaking to Jeremy Vine, Paulette Hamilton said: “I am a loyalist and, as a person, Keir is a wonderful man – but for months and months, I have been saying the line has to be crossed somewhere, and it’s the local elections. If we can’t change our leader, we may as well hand in the keys to Number 10 now.”

Chris Hinchliff (North East Hertfordshire)

Chris Hinchliff called on Keir Starmer to resign in February over the appointment of Peter Mandelson. He told the Bishop’s Stortford Independent at the time: “It should have been absolutely clear from the get-go that a known associate of a convicted paedophile and sex trafficker was not an appropriate person to appoint as our ambassador to the United States. Nothing has come forward that explains why that decision was made or that can make that decision credible. So I’m afraid that I do now believe the Prime Minister should resign.”

Hinchliff said to LabourList: “I stand by my call for him to resign over the appointment of Mandelson.”

Jonathan Hinder (Pendle and Clitheroe)

In an interview with Newsnight, Blue Labour member Jonathan Hinder said that the Prime Minister’s speech was “tone deaf” and “at its worst, downright insulting” and said: “The Prime Minister is going, no Prime Minister can survive this.”

Imran Hussain (Bradford East)

Imran Hussain said that the results from the elections showed that Labour had “ripped apart too much of our coalition and opened the door to Reform”.

He said in a social media post: “It is clear Keir Starmer has fought his last election as Labour leader, and I think he will know that too. The party should now set out a timetable for an orderly transition to a new leader by the end of the year. No coups. No stitch-ups. No Tory-style chaos.”

Sally Jameson (Doncaster Central)

In a statement, Sally Jameson said: “It is with regret that I now feel that the Prime Minister should set out a clear timetable for his departure in September or shortly after.”

Terry Jermy (South West Norfolk)

Terry Jermy, who defeated Liz Truss at the general election, said he was “disappointed” by the election results and said: “It is clear that people are not feeling the change promised by the government, and voters have registered their disappointment at the ballot box. It is clear the Labour government needs to review the pace of change, what we are prioritising, and how we are delivering it.

“Keir Starmer, as leader of our party, needs to consider whether he is the right person to take the party and the government forward.”

Kim Johnson (Liverpool Riverside)

Speaking to LBC, Kim Johnson said: “I personally don’t think Keir will be leading us into the next election. Who will that person be? We don’t know.”

Ruth Jones (Newport West and Islwyn)

Ruth Jones told Times Radio that the Prime Minister should “consider his position” after Welsh Labour was reduced to just nine seats in the Senedd. She said: “He [Keir] needs to be a bit more reticent about what he’s saying about carrying on forever. I think he needs to listen to the message that has been given to him as well.” However, she stopped short of calling for a timetable for his departure.

Naushabah Khan (Gillingham and Rainham)

Naushabah Khan said: “We need a clear change of direction now and no game playing. A Labour government can and will rise to meet the moment if we can act now. I am calling for new leadership, so that we can rebuild trust and deliver the better future that the British people voted for.”

Peter Lamb (Crawley)

Peter Lamb called on Keir Starmer to set out a timetable for his departure in February over the Mandelson saga.

Speaking to LabourList, Lamb said: “I’ve never stopped calling for a timetable and if that had happened when I first called for it many of the people who worked hardest to deliver a Labour government would still be delivering for our movement in local government.”

Ian Lavery (Blyth and Ashington)

Speaking to The World at One after local and devolved election results, Ian Lavery said that Labour is “on the road to utter annihilation”. He said: “Keir Hardie started the Labour Party… It could be another Keir – Keir Starmer – that could end the party forever.” He said that the party needed not just a new leader but a “new political programme”.

Brian Leishman (Alloa and Grangemouth)

After Anas Sarwar called on Keir Starmer to resign in February, Brian Leishman said: “I have said that Keir Starmer’s position is untenable and that it is in the country’s best interest for him to step down and for the Government to have a change in direction. That change is to govern with real Labour values. That is what people voted for in 2024, and what we should deliver.”

Leishman has confirmed with LabourList that he is still calling Starmer to resign as Prime Minister.

Emma Lewell (South Shields)

In a statement Emma Lewell said: “A speech that should have begun with “sorry”.

I was hoping throughout for an announcement of a total reboot and the reset of the economic model of this country. Instead – a promise of future change – again. This came across like a pre- Election speech on what we will do on what we will do and what we plan to do. Not a speech from a government nearly two years in.

The British public doesn’t want to hear a narrative or a story, all to hear why we do what we do, they just want us to deliver – and rightly so.

I get the points made about battling Reform and Greens, but all that does is harden their base and insult Those who voted for them. As for rebuilding our relationship with Europe being a key flank of this speech – I despair.

This was a speech written in the same internal echo chamber that got us into this mess. In my patch, we lost every single council seat. Yet no one at all in the government leadership has reached out to ask me why. Fundamentally, the public does not trust the PM or the government.

Without trust you have nothing.

In 2024 we want a general election on the promise of change, we promised better, people believed us. They have been left down. People voted for change – they got more of the same. I feel desperately sad, angry and frustrated today.”

Clive Lewis (Norwich South)

Clive Lewis said that the local election results are an “existential moment for Labour” that “will not be fixed by another speech, another comms reset or another reshuffle”. In a post on social media, he said: “We cannot pretend this is a ‘bad night’, a difficult cycle, or a messaging problem. It is a political crisis, and unless we face it honestly, it risks becoming terminal.

“The Prime Minister 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. The longer this is delayed, the greater the damage to the party and the country.”

Rebecca Long Bailey (Salford)

Rebecca Long Bailey, who was one of the contenders against Starmer in the 2020 leadership election, said: “Last week’s local election results were among the worst in our history. Keir Starmer must end this chaos and now set out a timetable for a reasonable and orderly transition to a new leader.”

Justin Madders (Ellesmere Port and Bromborough)

While admitting that “changing the person at the toip is no guarantee that we can persuade the public we do have answers”, Justin Madders said in a social post: “There will come a time soon when, without fundamental change, it will become necessary to do that to try and win back the trust we have lost.”

Rachael Maskell (York Central)

Rachael Maskell said that the Prime Minister had “failed to instil confidence in his leadership – instead causing people to seek solutions outside of Labour at this election”. However, she said: “While the Prime Minister cannot continue, it would be wrong to launch an immediate leadership challenge, before understanding the qualities needed to lead our party.

“A timetable must now be set for a process to ensure that we restore the purpose, policies and promise of our great labour movement under new leadership to unite the interests of all communities once again.”

Andy McDonald (Middlesborough and Thornaby East)

In a post on social media, Andy McDonald said: “These results are disastrous for Labour. Voters are rejecting the party’s offer. Timid triangulation will not do in a cost-of-living crisis.

“We need a change of leader tied to change of policy – for a radical economic vision, with better incomes and higher living standards.”

John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington)

Former Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell said that the Prime Minister “will need to put party and country first in judging whether he is risking opening the door to Farage” but said that now was not the time for a “coup”.

Alex McIntyre (Gloucester)

Alex McIntyre said in a statement: “Over recent weeks, countless conversations I’ve had with constituents, plus the results from last week’s elections, can only tell me one thing. The Prime Minister does not have the backing of the country to deliver the change that people voted for.

“Having listened closely to the Prime Minister’s speech today, I do not believe he is the person to lead that effort. I want to look my constituents in the eye when I talk to them on the doorstep and say with honesty that we have the right person leading us through such difficult times. Right now I cannot do that.”

Gordon McKee (Glasgow South)

Gordon McKee said in a post on social media: “Our country faces enormous challenges and we need a Labour government that can deliver the scale of change that this requires. If we don’t change, the outcome could be Nigel Farage in Downing Street and all of the disastrous consequences that would have.

Kevin McKenna (Sittingbourne and Sheppey)

In a post on social media, Kevin McKenna said the Prime Minister did not in his speech “demonstrate the vision for urgent change that my constituents need”. He said: “I believe it is now time for a new Prime Minister to lead our party and to deliver on the commitments we made to this country.”

Catherine McKinnell (Newcastle-upon-Tyne North)

In a statement on social media, Catherine McKinnell said: “It’s become clear that it’s time for a new leader to take us to the finish line of this term and onto the next. It’s vital we now see a swift and orderly transition so we can get on with delivering on our promise of change. The voting public have been crystal clear we have no time to lose.”

Anneliese Midgley (Knowsley)

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.”

Navendu Mishra (Stockport)

Speaking to the BBC’s Today Programme, Navendu Mishra said that the Prime Minister should “set out a timetable for an orderly transition” of leader.

Abtisam Mohamed (Sheffield Central)

In a post on social media, Abtisam Mohamed said that Keir Starmer’s unpopularity “came up again and again on the doorstep” and said the country needs “leadership that brings people together”.

She said: “We need real Labour values: opportunity for young people, support for small businesses, defending the right to protest and jury trials, standing up for international law consistently and speaking plainly about war crimes being committed in Gaza and the West Bank, and rejecting rhetoric that scapegoats migrants instead of solving problems.

“We need leadership that brings people together. The Prime Minister should now agree a clear transition and timeline for new leadership can do that. I came into politics to fight for real change and that hasn’t changed, but I won’t follow blindly.”

Joe Morris (Hexham)

Joe Morris said: “It is in the best interests of the country and the party that the Prime Minister sets out a swift timetable to ensure that a new leader is in place to regain the confidence of the public and to ensure that the government can deliver on the commitments it has made.”

Luke Myer (Middlesborough South and East Cleveland)

Luke Myer listened to the Prime Minister’s speech and said: “I think history will see him as a decent man, but we have to be honest that his leadership is not working. A change is needed.”

Connor Naismith (Crewe and Nantwich)

In a thread on social media, Connor Naismith said: “In the wake of these catastrophic local elections results, with regret, it is clear to me that we need new leadership. Leadership which is capable of bringing together a broad coalition of voters to stop the Thatcherite politics of Reform UK. The world is in a turbulent place so any transition of power should be orderly, and should facilitate voices from across our movement to chart the course for what we do next. That must include giving Andy Burnham the opportunity to re-enter parliament if an opportunity arises.”

Charlotte Nichols (Warrington North)

Charlotte Nichols told Iain Dale live on LBC that she thinks Keir Starmer should resign as Prime Minister.

Simon Opher (Stroud)

In a statement, Simon Opher said that the Prime Minister “cannot take our party into the next general election”. He said: “We need an orderly transition that brings together the very best talents across the Labour Party to deliver the change this country so desperately needs and to stop the far right from entering Number 10.”

Kate Osborne (Jarrow and Gateshead East)

In a post on social media, Kate Osborne said she blames the party leadership for the dismal results Labour faced and that “Keir needs to resign”.

Sarah Owen (Luton North)

Co-chair of the Tribune Group Sarah Owen told The Times: “The public’s message to the Prime Minister is clear – and it is now do or die for the Labour leadership.

“The Labour government at its best has made some headway on reversing austerity, bringing in new rights for workers and renters, and taking children out of poverty but that has not been fast or far enough for people to really feel it in their pockets, and see it their communities.

“Unless Keir Starmer delivers tangible change and truly connects with the public on a human level, he can’t lead us into another election (locally or nationally). People want politics and politicians who are upfront and true to their values.”

Jess Phillips (Birmingham Yardley)

Jess Phillips resigned as a junior minister and told the Prime Minister: “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 to serve as a minister under the current leadership.”

Lee Pitcher (Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme)

Lee Pitcher said: “It is now clear a new direction is required.”

Jo Platt (Leigh and Atherton)

Jo Platt said: “As a movement we cannot progress under this leadership. That is why I am calling on the Prime Minister to announce a clear and measured timetable for his resignation.”

Andrew Ranger (Wrexham)

In a statement on Bluesky, Andrew Ranger said that he had “reached the conclusion that new leadership is needed” and called for a transition to a leadership contest.

Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Clapham and Brixton Hill)

In a statement on social media, Bell Ribeiro-Addy said: “It is clear the PM does not have a credible plan. He must now set out a timetable for departure. But the process to replace him cannot be a coronation.

“Our next leader must be chosen in a real democratic contest. Otherwise we risk ending up right back where we started.”

Tom Rutland (East Worthing and Shoreham)

Tom Rutland announced he would resign as a PPS and said: “We have a generational responsibility to stop Reform’s hatred and division from taking over our great country. It weighs heavily on me and all of us must do all we can to prevent this from happening. I do not have faith that the Prime Minister can meet this challenge.”

Alex Sobel (Leeds Central and Headingley)

In a statement, Alex Sobel said: “The Prime Minister’s speech yesterday did not challenge the status quo and failed to articulate the radical societal change the country needs.

“The Prime Minister needs to announce a date for his departure so we can have an open contest and an orderly transition. A rushed contest following an immediate challenge doesn’t serve the best interests of the country in a time of war in the Middle East which is having a destabilising effect globally.”

Euan Stainbank (Falkirk)

Euan Stainbank expressed sorrow at the loss of several Scottish Labour MSPs and said: “The Prime Minister must set out a process for his departure and we must quickly reflect on the strategy and leadership north and south of the border which enabled this fifth SNP term.”

Josh Simons (Makerfield)

Josh Simons says in The Times he believes Starmer has “lost the country” and “should take control of the situation by overseeing an orderly transition to a new prime minister.”

David Smith (North Northumberland)

In a post on social media after the Prime Minister’s post-election speech, David Smith said: “If we are to make good on the promises that we made to the country in 2024 to tackle the cost of living, to deal with immigration fairly and effectively, to restore our national economy, to re-build our armed forces and to see the return of a more cohesive, hopeful society, then we cannot carry on with the approach we have taken in the first two years of this Labour government. I therefore believe that now is the time for the Prime Minister to set a clear timetable for his departure.”

Sarah Smith (Hyndburn)

Sarah Smith said: “I have regretfully concluded that he is unable to lead us into future elections. I urge the Prime Minister to set out a timetable for an orderly transition by the end of 2026.”

Alex Sobel (Leeds Central & Headingley)

Alex Sobel said on BBC Radio 5 Live Labour’s poor local election results reflected a loss of public trust in the Prime Minister, arguing that controversies around Peter Mandelson’s resignation and appointment marked a turning point and exposed deeper concerns about leadership. While acknowledging Labour’s legislative achievements, Sobel urged the Prime Minister to announce a timetable for stepping down to allow an orderly leadership transition.

Wes Streeting (Ilford North)

Wes Streeting resigned as Health Secretary and his letter to the Prime Minister said: “It is now clear that you will not lead the Labour Party into the next general election and that Labour MPs and Labour unions want the debate about what comes next to be a battle of ideas, not of personalities or petty factionalism. It needs to be broad, and it needs to be the best possible field of candidates.”

Graham Stringer (Blackley and Middleton South)

Graham Stringer told Talk TV: “I don’t think he [Keir Starmer] can fight the next election if the Labour Party wants to survive.”

Steve Race (Exeter)

Politico Playbook confirmed that Steve Race resigned as a PPS, after sharing tweets of Wes Streeting’s words at Progress conference on Saturday 16th May.

Rachel Taylor (North Warwickshire and Bedworth)

In a statement on social media, Rachel Taylor said: “I watched the Prime Minister’s speech this morning with an open mind but I’m afraid I don’t think he spoke clearly enough about the change my constituents need to feel. That is why with a genuinely heavy heart I am calling on Keir Starmer to announce a timetable for his departure.”

Fred Thomas (Plymouth Moor View)

In a statement on social media, Fred Thomas said: “It is unavoidably clear that under current leadership, many people are not feeling that change in their lives.

“The Prime Minister was right in his speech today: we do face very dangerous opponents. It is because of that danger that we must change course. It is clear now that to deliver on our promise of change and to secure Britain’s future, we must look to a new leader.”

Jon Trickett (Normanton and Hemsworth)

Speaking to the BBC, Jon Trickett said that the Prime Minister “has been a problem for us” on the doorstep and said: “The message from my constituency is that it’s curtains for Keir.”

Tony Vaughan (Folkestone and Hythe)

In a social media post, Tony Vaughan said that Labour needs a second term in government, but “on the current trajectory, we won’t get there because we will lose and Farage will win”. He said that voters he spoke to on the doorstep were frustrated with the pace of change, but also angry at mistakes made by the party leadership over winter fuel, benefit cuts, Starmer’s comments on Gaza and on Mandelson.

He said: “Some say we will look like the Tories if we change leader. But would they have done better if they’d kept Boris in despite Partygate? Or kept Truss after she crashed the economy?

“We have to get on with the job we were elected to do. But we are hamstrung if we continue to be led by the personification of earlier – serious – mistakes. We must give the public a Labour leader with a clear vision, conviction and the ability to inspire if we are to stand any chance of turning things around.

“I strongly believe that there must be an orderly transition of leadership well before the local elections next year. Otherwise, we are conceding defeat to Farage before we have even started.”

Melanie Ward (Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy)

Melanie Ward said in a statement: “It is clear that the Prime Minister no longer has the trust or confidence of the public to lead this change. It is for this reason that I am today resigning as a PPS and calling for Keir Starmer to resign as leader of the Labour Party and set out a rapid process for the election of a new leader and Prime Minister.”

Catherine West (Hornsey and Friern Barnet)

Former minister Catherine West said that Keir Starmer’s approach is “not cutting through” and said: “Unless things change, we risk Nigel Farage becoming Prime Minister.”

She added: “That’s why, with regret and significant sadness, I firmly believe that Keir should outline his intention to resign as Prime Minister and oversee an orderly transition.”

Speaking to BBC Radio 4, West has said that she will put her name forward to challenge Keir Starmer as leader if no member of the Cabinet decides to challenge the PM themselves.

Nadia Whittome (Nottingham East)

In a post on social media, Nadia Whittome criticised the Labour leadership for “doubling down” on “Reform-lite… policies” and said Labour needs to recognise its duty to working-class people. She said: “We did not secure a historic majority in 2024 to be tepid in government, to punish the most vulnerable or to mimic our opponents. From housing to our hollowed-out public services, the country faces interlocking crises that demand bold policies and a progressive government with the courage to deliver them. With this in mind, I believe the Prime Minister should announce a timetable for his departure.”

Rosie Wrighting (Kettering)

Rosie Wrighting has resigned as a PPS and echoed comments made by Wes Streeting in his resignation letter. In a statement on social media, she said: “We need a vision, an open debate of ideas about how we move forward from this moment, with the best field of candidates that our movement has.”

Yuan Yang (Earley and Woodley)

Yuan Yang said: “I do not feel our current political direction is sustainable. I therefore believe the Prime Minister should set out a considered timeline for his departure.”

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