Cabinet Ministers scrambled to back Keir Starmer after Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called on him to resign this afternoon.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy led the charge, sharing his support at 2:28 pm, just moments before Mr Sarwar began his address.
Within an hour, the majority of the Cabinet had confirmed their continued allegiance to the Prime Minister.
This included both Wes Streeting and Ed Miliband, who are considered contenders to replace Sir Keir in No10.
Exiled former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, another thought to be gunning for the top job, also voiced her backing for the embattled Labour leader.
Speaking in Glasgow earlier today, Mr Sarwar expressed his “personal hurt and pain” but admitted Labour “desperately needs” a change of leadership following “failures” inside Downing Street.
The move has plunged Labour into what could be its most serious internal crisis since winning the 2024 general election, with Sir Keir’s leadership now in the spotlight across Westminster and Holyrood alike.
Downing Street made clear that the prime minister will not be stepping aside, insisting he has a clear five-year mandate from the electorate and remains “positive, confident and determined” to press on.
The Prime Minister is facing his biggest fight yet to retain his job
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Getty ImagesSeveral cabinet ministers went further, publishing full statements of support, praising Mr Starmer’s stewardship of the economy, falling NHS waiting lists and diplomatic leadership ahead of key international engagements such as the Munich Security Conference.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Chancellor Rachel Reeves were among those stressing the need to focus on governing rather than internal party disputes, while Business Secretary Peter Kyle urged colleagues to “stay the course” on economic growth.
Despite the show of unity at the top, backbench unrest appears to be simmering, with some Labour MPs privately urging the Prime Minister to reflect on recent missteps and others warning that continued turbulence could damage electoral prospects.
The controversy stems from the fallout over Peter Mandelson’s appointment as UK ambassador to Washington and his links to Jeffrey Epstein, which dominated headlines and led to the resignations of Starmer’s chief of staff and communications director within 24 hours.
Keir Starmer told MPs ‘I’ve won every fight I’ve been in’ as he clings onto his job
Opposition parties have seized on the turmoil, with leaders in both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats calling for a vote of confidence in the prime minister and accusing Labour of losing control.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski also urged Mr Starmer to quit, describing the saga as a “totally unacceptable failure of leadership” that epitomises a wider crisis in British politics.
In Glasgow, Mr Sarwar sought to frame his intervention in the context of the upcoming Scottish Parliament elections, arguing that Labour needs fresh leadership if it is to challenge the SNP effectively next month.
He told reporters that while he greatly respected Mr Starmer personally, “the leadership in Downing Street has to change” because the “failures” there are overwhelming other achievements.
Senior figures close to the Scottish party stressed that Mr Sarwar’s decision was driven by political necessity rather than personal animosity, although some activists have questioned whether he has the authority to speak for the Scottish branch.
