Tonight, a former minister fired the first shot in Keir Starmer’s eagerly anticipated leadership challenge.
Backbencher Catherine West stated that if the Cabinet doesn’t take action against the Prime Minister by her deadline, she will announce a leadership coup on Monday.
In an interview with the BBC this evening, the MP for Hornsey in north London made her declaration, which could compel important figures like Wes Streeting and Angela Rayner to take action.
Although Ms. West claimed to already have ten supporters, this is far less than the 81 needed to begin a leadership race.
“This afternoon, I would like the Cabinet to come around the table and elect a leader among themselves without humiliating the current leader Keir Starmer,” stated the former Foreign Office minister.
“However, in order to have a new leader of the party without holding a leadership election, we need someone from the current Cabinet to step forward. “If that cannot happen, and there are no leadership hopefuls that come forward tomorrow, then Monday morning I will put my name forward to stand for the leader of the Labour Party.”
She insisted that Sir Keir be replaced by a well-known Cabinet member “who can really sell Labour values and sell our program.”
Catherine West insisted that the Cabinet name a replacement for Keir Starmer by Monday.
Now, around forty MPs have publicly called on Keir Starmer to quit his tenure in No. 10.
Ms. West did not say who she thought was the most qualified applicant.
“I don’t have a candidate,” she argued. That contributes to the issue.
“But I believe there are a number of people who have been planning for months and would like to do it, but I’m shocked that none of them have shown up today to say ‘I will do it.'”
Westminster went into overdrive after the statement, but the prime minister’s friends maintained that Ms. West would not be able to remove him the following week.
Ms. West, a former Islington council leader, was written off as a “misguided North London MP.”
Additionally, he told the Mail that her intervention was “probably a good thing” for the PM since it would “lance the boil” of rumours about a possible stalking horse challenge against Sir Keir, forcing rebels to either support Ms. West or back off.
Ms. West’s challenge was made fun of in private by another Labour insider who claimed that she was “best friends with Jeremy Corbyn.”
Downing Street seems to think that Ms. West is operating independently rather than as a front for any real candidate for the throne.
Following a day of additional Labour MPs openly urging Keir Starmer to begin planning his exit from Downing Street, she made her shocking statement.
Now, 37 people have openly stated that he should either quit right away or set a timeline.
This morning, Ms. West expressed her displeasure with the current leadership and demanded that Sir Keir step down.
Debbie Abrahams, the MP for Oldham East, joined her. She told the Today Programme that she believes “it is a matter of months” until Starmer must decide whether to step down if he doesn’t make changes right away.
Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts concurred, saying that the Cabinet has an obligation to acknowledge that this cannot continue indefinitely.
According to reports, Wes Streeting has the necessary 81 MPs, but he wants to wait to declare his candidature.
Additionally, Angela Rayner is considering running for leader.
However, Lucy Powell, the deputy leader of Labour and a supporter of Keir Starmer, denounced the plotting of her colleagues and cautioned that a coup would make the party appear “ludicrous.”
Speaking on the BBC this morning, Ms. Powell stated that, under Keir Starmer’s leadership, Labour must alter its strategy.
Sir Keir, she claimed, “is accepting responsibility, he is saying we have to change.” He listens to what others are saying.
The Prime Minister is “very reflective” about yesterday’s harsh vote, according to the Manchester MP.
However, she attacked Labour MPs who were calling for a change of leadership, saying, “I don’t want to hear about that anymore.” I want us to continue working on the project.
When asked if Sir Keir will still be the party’s leader in six months, she firmly said, “Yes, yes, yes!”
Labour Members of Parliament who have demanded Keir Starmer’s resignation or established a schedule for a leadership contest:
“I think it’s a matter of months,” said Debbie Abrahams of Oldham East and Saddleworth.
“When you’re the leader, the buck stops with you,” said David Baines of St Helens North.
“We need to agree on a clear timeline for change,” said Paula Barker of Liverpool Wavertree.
“A superspeed change, in both leadership and policy,” said Apsana Begum (Poplar and Limehouse).
“I don’t think rebooting and refreshing is going to make any difference,” said Clive Betts of Sheffield South East.
Sheffield Hallam’s Olivia Blake: “[Starmer] needs to think about his position.”
“Starmer should set out a timetable for his departure,” said Jonathan Brash of Hartlepool.
“The party should now work towards a timetable for an orderly transition to a new leader,” said Richard Burgon of Leeds East.
“PM must now set out a clear timetable for his departure,” said Ian Byrne of Liverpool West Derby.
Louise Haigh’s request for a schedule was shared by Beccy Cooper (Worthing West).
“All those responsible must seriously consider their positions,” said Neil Duncan-Jordan (Poole).
“He should stand aside,” says Barry Gardiner (Brent West).
“The Prime Minister cannot lead us into another election,” said Louise Haigh (Sheffield Heeley).
“I’m afraid I do now believe the Prime Minister should resign,” said Chris Hinchliff of North East Hertfordshire.
“Keir Starmer, as leader of our party, needs to consider whether he is the right person to take the party and the government forward,” said Terry Jermy of South West Norfolk.
“I personally don’t think Keir will be leading us into the next election,” said Kim Johnson of Liverpool Riverside.
“He needs to be a bit more reticent about what he’s saying about carrying on forever,” said Ruth Jones (Newport West and Islwyn).
“He should set out a timetable for his departure,” said Peter Lamb (Crawley).
Ian Lavery (Blyth and Ashington): “The Labour Party was founded by Keir Hardie.” Another Keir, Keir Starmer, might put a permanent stop to the celebration.
“Keir Starmer’s position is untenable,” said Brian Leishman (Alloa and Grangemouth).
When asked if the PM should step down, Emma Lewell of South Shields said, “It looks like it.” Because it is extremely difficult to regain the trust of the British people once you have lost it.
Clive Lewis (Norwich South): “A schedule for his departure is now required.”
“Changing the person at the top is not a guarantee that we can persuade the public we do have answers, but there will come a point soon when, without fundamental change, it will become necessary to do that,” said Justin Madders of Ellesmere Port.
“It is inevitable that the PM is going to have to step down,” said Rachael Maskell of York Central.
“We need a change of leader tied to change of policy,” said Andy McDonald of Middlesborough and Thornaby East.
“[PM] will need to put party first and country first in judging whether he is risking opening the door to Farage,” said John McDonnell (Hayes and Harlington).
“It’s obvious the PM can’t lead us into another election,” said Anneliese Midgley (Knowsley).
“The PM should now agree a clear transition and timeline for new leadership,” said Abtisam Mohamed of Sheffield Central.
“It is evident to me that we require new leadership,” said Connor Naismith (Crewe and Nantwich).
“We need an orderly transition,” said Simon Opher (Stroud).
“He can’t lead us into another general election,” said Kate Osborne of Gateshead East and Jarrow.
“Keir needs to resign,” said Sarah Owen (Luton North).
“It is time for the Prime Minister to resign to allow for new leadership of the country,” said Euan Stainbank of Falkirk.
“I don’t think he can fight the next election if the Labour Party wants to survive,” said Graham Stringer of Middleton South and Blackley.
“The message from my constituency is that it’s curtains for Keir,” said Jon Trickett (Normanton and Hemsworth).
“We must give the public a Labour leader with a clear vision,” said Tony Vaughan KC (Folkestone and Hythe).
“I think the Prime Minister should announce a timeline for his departure,” said Nadia Whittome of Nottingham East.
In an interview this afternoon, Starmer stated that the local election results had been “really tough” and that he would “reflect and respond” to the message sent by voters. “I’m not going to walk away and plunge the country into chaos, I think the right thing to do is to rebuild and show the path forward.” “We made a number of really important calls in the last couple of years… we need to couple to that the arguments we’re making about hope and the future.”
“I will be outlining those arguments… outlining clearly the principles and beliefs that motivate me.”
He noticeably sidestepped the topic when asked if he would run for leadership if challenged.
