Scottish Labour leader becomes first top figure to call for Keir Starmer to quit
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has become the first major party figure call for Starmer to quit, telling a press conference: ‘The distraction has to end, and the leadership in Downing Street has to change.’
Sarwar faces an incredibly tricky Holyrood election in May, with Labour predicted to face another defeat to the SNP following a dramatic decline in the polls since Starmer came to power.
He said: ‘Keir Starmer is a decent man, and it is no secret that I have always got on well with him, and he has dedicated his life to public service.
‘I have also dedicated myself to public service, and I need to decide what I’m willing to accept and what I’m willing to tolerate.’
A figure in the Scottish party told Metro its campaigners were being ‘done on the doorstep’ over the UK government’s performance, and the controversy over Lord Mandelson came up frequently in the past week.
Downing Street confirmed earlier Keir Starmer will not be resigning today, as pressure continues to build on the Prime Minister a day after his top aide departed.
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No 10 Chief of Staff Morgan McSweeney stepped down on Sunday following a torrid week where his previous support for Lord Mandelson came under the spotlight.
The exit left the PM without an advisor who played a critical role in his ascent to Labour leader and the party’s 2024 landslide.
Sarwar told the press conference he had spoken to Starmer earlier in the day, adding: ‘I think it’s safe to say he and I disagreed.’
Writing on X, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: ‘I respect
@anassarwar but he is wrong.
‘Keir led our party to a General Election victory 18 months ago and he is the right person for the job in difficult circumstances. The public want us to fix the country’s problems, not fixate on ourselves.’
It took hours for a member of the Cabinet to publicly express their support for the Prime Minister, with Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy breaking the silence.
He wrote on X: ‘Keir Starmer won a massive mandate 18 months ago, for five years to deliver on Labour’s manifesto that we all stood on.
‘We should let nothing distract us from our mission to change Britain and we support the Prime Minister in doing that.’
Other Cabinet figures including Rachel Reeves, John Healey, Yvette Cooper and Bridget Phillipson have since joined Lammy and Alexander in backing the Prime Minister.
Speaking to the Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Health Secretary Wes Streeting – considered one of the most ambitious government ministers – said: ‘Keir Starmer doesn’t need to resign.’
He added: ‘It has not been the best week for the government. Give Keir a chance.’
The PM’s official spokesman described him as ‘upbeat and confident’ in a speech to his staff this morning.
Asked if Starmer was going to resign today, the spokesman said: ‘No. The Prime Minister is concentrating on the job in hand.
‘He is getting on with the job of delivering change across the country.’
This morning, Downing Street Director of Communications Tim Allan also unexpectedly announced he was leaving his role.
In a brief statement, he said: ‘I have decided to stand down to allow a new Number 10 team to be built.
‘I wish the PM and his team every success.’
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