British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing mounting political pressure after Labour suffered major setbacks in recent local and regional elections, prompting growing calls within his party for him to consider stepping aside.
According to reports, senior cabinet members including Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Foreign Secretary David Lammy have urged Starmer to consider setting out a timeline for his departure. The reported discussions come as dissatisfaction grows within Labour ranks over the party’s electoral losses and broader concerns about government performance.
Read More: UK PM rejects resignation after setback
More than 60 Labour MPs are said to have privately or publicly called for Starmer to resign following the disappointing results, which saw Labour lose support to Reform UK, the Greens and Plaid Cymru.
The backlash also triggered the resignation of four government aides, who cited concerns over Starmer’s leadership and his ability to rebuild public confidence.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he remains the right person to lead the country, despite mounting pressure after heavy Labour losses in local elections and gains by Nigel Farage’s Reform Party pic.twitter.com/F0LDoQyydW
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Labour’s losses were particularly notable in Wales, where Plaid Cymru reportedly gained control of the devolved parliament for the first time since its creation in 1999. The party also failed to make significant progress in Scotland against the Scottish National Party.
Starmer, who became prime minister in July 2024 after Labour’s landslide general election victory, acknowledged voter frustration in a major speech on Monday but rejected calls to resign.
He pledged to “prove doubters wrong” and promised a stronger policy response on issues including economic growth, energy policy and closer relations with Europe.
Starmer also defended his leadership by warning against repeating the political instability that characterised recent Conservative governments, which saw multiple leadership changes in quick succession.
Despite domestic criticism over the economy and cost-of-living pressures, Starmer has received some praise internationally for his handling of foreign policy issues, including his stance on tensions involving Iran and the United States.
Read More: Starmer insists Labour remains ‘united’
Potential successors frequently mentioned in British political circles include Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, though neither has formally launched a challenge.
Any leadership contest would require significant parliamentary backing under Labour Party rules, raising the prospect of a prolonged internal struggle if dissatisfaction continues.