{"id":34710,"date":"2026-05-12T14:11:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T14:11:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/34710\/"},"modified":"2026-05-12T14:11:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T14:11:11","slug":"three-ministers-resign-as-keir-starmer-vows-to-resist-widening-labour-revolt-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/34710\/","title":{"rendered":"Three ministers resign as Keir Starmer vows to resist widening Labour revolt \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"

Main Points A third minister has resigned – Alex Davies-Jones, the minister for victimsJess Phillips, the safeguarding minister, has resigned, Sky News is reporting This follows the resignation of Miatta Fahnbulleh, minister for devolution, faith and communities, who called on Keir Starmer<\/a> to go The British prime minister told his cabinet this morning he intends to fight on<\/a> amid calls for his resignationNo one challenged Starmer at the cabinet meeting nor suggested he should go, Pat McFadden, the work and pensions secretary, saidMore than 70 of the 403 Labour<\/a>\u00a0MPs have called on him to resign or set out a timeline for departureUnder Labour Party rules, a leadership challenger requires support from 20 per cent of Labour MPs (81) Starmer has been under huge pressure following his party\u2019s dire performance in elections last weekKey Reads <\/p>\n

Jade Wilson – 49 minutes ago<\/p>\n

Who are the favourites to replace Starmer if he goes?<\/p>\n

In December, our London Correspondent Mark Paul predicted that Keir Starmer would face a leadership challenge during 2026 and looked at those in the running to replace him. <\/p>\n

Starmer\u2019s Downing Street team saw the UK health secretary Wes Streeting as the biggest threat. <\/p>\n

\u201cHe is a strong media performer and is viewed as being as articulate and smooth as Starmer is stilted. He is on the right of the Labour Party but he has genuine working class credentials \u2013 an East End London boy who made it to Cambridge University,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n

Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister and housing secretary\u2019s career looked to be in tatters in September when she quit after it emerged she had had underpaid stamp duty on a flat. But she never went away – and has made no secret of her leadership ambitions. <\/p>\n

Polling, meanwhile, shows Andy Burham would be preferred as prime minister over Nigeal Farage by the country as a whole.<\/p>\n

He faces a major obstacle, however, in that he is not an MP \u2013 you cannot run for the Labour leadership if you do not hold a Westminster seat.<\/p>\n

Jade Wilson – 54 minutes ago<\/p>\n

Third minister resigns, saying Starmer must quit <\/p>\n

A third minister has resigned \u2013 Alex Davies-Jones, the minister for victims. Like Jess Phillips, Davies-Jones described Keir Starmer as a good man in her resignation letter. But she said Labour must respond to the message sent by the \u201ccatastrophic\u201d election results.<\/p>\n

Davies-Jones represents Pontypridd in south Wales where the Labour defeat was particularly disastrous.<\/p>\n

Jade Wilson – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n

Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips resigns<\/p>\n

Jess Phillips, the safeguarding minister, has resigned, Sky News is reporting. <\/p>\n

She says she can no longer support Keir Starmer as PM.<\/p>\n

Phillips is an ally of Wes Streeting\u2019s. <\/p>\n

EXCLUSIVE: Jess Phillips, safeguarding minister, resigns from govt. \u201cThe desire not to have an argument means we rarely make an argument…” pic.twitter.com\/cC6hGFL1Rl<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Beth Rigby (@BethRigby) May 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Jade Wilson – 3 hours ago<\/p>\n

Mark Paul\u2019s update on UK prime minister Keir Starmer\u2019s position. Video: Mark Paul Analysis: Starmer digs in \u2013 but will his ministers stand by him?<\/p>\n

Mark Paul, our London Correspondent, writes:<\/p>\n

Standing here on Downing Street, it is clear that Starmer is digging in.<\/p>\n

As UK cabinet members marched out of Number 10 after their meeting with the prime minister, several Starmer loyalists made a point of approaching the press pack to give brief statements supportive of their man.<\/p>\n

Peter Kyle, the business secretary and close Starmer ally, and fellow Starmerite Steve Reed, the housing secretary, both gave brief versions of \u201cthe prime minister intends to get on with running the country\u201d.<\/p>\n

One who did not stop and speak to the media, however, was health secretary Wes Streeting, who is seen as a prime leadership contender should Starmer be challenged. Usually chatty to journalists, Streeting walked away stony-faced towards his waiting ministerial car. <\/p>\n

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood, who reportedly asked Starmer on Monday to set a departure date, left via another exit, away from the gaze of the media.<\/p>\n

Starmer is essentially telling his challengers to come and have a go at him if they want his job.<\/p>\n

The chaos in British politics continues, barely 24 hours before British king Charles is due in the parliament on Wednesday, where he will give a speech in the House of Lords laying out the government\u2019s legislative priorities. But for how much longer will Starmer\u2019s administration be in place?<\/p>\n

Jade Wilson – 4 hours ago<\/p>\n

\u2018No challenges\u2019 against Starmer at cabinet meeting<\/p>\n

No one challenged Keir Starmer at the cabinet meeting nor suggested he should go, Pat McFadden, the work and pensions secretary, said.<\/p>\n

Speaking to reporters as he left Number 10, McFadden said the government should \u201ccarry on\u201d.<\/p>\n

Jade Wilson – 4 hours ago<\/p>\n

\u2018The PM has my full support\u2019: Starmer loyalists brief the media<\/p>\n

Mark Paul, our London Correspondent at Number 10 Downing Street, writes:<\/p>\n

Cabinet ministers are leaving Number 10 and it is striking that Keir Starmer\u2019s loyalists are stopping to express their support for the prime minister to the waiting media.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeir is showing steadfast leadership,\u201d says business secretary Peter Kyle, a known Starmer loyalist.<\/p>\n

Steve Reed, the housing minister, another ally of Starmer, says members of the cabinet intend to \u201cget on with their jobs\u201d.<\/p>\n

Liz Kendall, the science minister, says: \u201cThe PM has my full support.\u201d<\/p>\n

Others such as Wes Streeting and Ed Miliband, however, have walked past the waiting media without commenting.<\/p>\n

Jade Wilson – 4 hours ago<\/p>\n

Steve Reed backs Starmer, says ministers intend to \u2018get on with our jobs\u2019 <\/p>\n

Steve Reed, the housing secretary, has left Number 10 after cabinet. Speaking to reporters, he reiterated what Keir Starmer said in his statement. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe prime minister has my full support. The Labour Party has a process for triggering a leadership election. That has not happened. So we all intend to get on with our jobs, and that is what I intend to do.\u201d <\/p>\n

Jade Wilson – 5 hours ago<\/p>\n

Starmer intends to fight on<\/p>\n

Mark Paul, our London Correspondent at Number 10 Downing Street, writes:<\/p>\n

News is emerging from Downing Street that Starmer has told his cabinet he intends to fight on. He has said he takes responsibility for staying on and for the election results.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Labour Party has a process for challenging a leader and that has not been triggered,\u201d he said. \u201cThe country expects us to get on with governing. That is what I am doing and what we must do as a cabinet.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said Labour has an established process to trigger a leadership contest and that has not been triggered so far. So it seems Starmer does not \u2013 yet \u2013 intend to give up in the face of pressure from his rivals. <\/p>\n

The fevered atmosphere is ramping up here now in Westminster, with many waiting to see whether any senior government resignations will follow after MPs who were junior aides have already quit. <\/p>\n

Jade Wilson – 5 hours ago<\/p>\n

\"DeputyDeputy prime minister David Lammy and attorney general Richard Hermer arrive at Downing Street. Photograph: Carl Court\/Getty Images Cabinet ministers arrive for crunch meeting<\/p>\n

Mark Paul, our London Correspondent, writes: <\/p>\n

I\u2019m standing on Downing Street directly across from the famous black door of Number 10, where senior UK cabinet members have been arriving in the last few minutes. John Healey, the defence secretary, arrived a few moments ago, as did energy secretary Ed Miliband and Anna Turley, the chair of the Labour Party. <\/p>\n

Inside, a crunch cabinet meeting is getting under way that may decide the immediate future of the UK prime minister.<\/p>\n

All arriving ministers ignored a cacophony of shouted calls from journalists about whether they were among the senior ministers who had called on Starmer to go.<\/p>\n

It seems his cabinet may be split on his future, which doesn\u2019t bode well for Starmer.<\/p>\n

The sun is out in central London this morning, and half of the Downing Street buildings are bathed in a golden light. The door to Number 10, however, remains in a dark shadow, at least for now. It may be symbolic of the difficult day ahead for its current occupant. <\/p>\n

For how much longer will Starmer reside there? As the resignations from his government continue, we are expected to find out a little later on.<\/p>\n

Jade Wilson – 5 hours ago<\/p>\n

Labour MP Paul Foster calls for Starmer\u2019s resignation<\/p>\n

Paul Foster, the Labour MP for South Ribble, has issued a statement calling for Starmer\u2019s resignation. <\/p>\n

He wrote: \u201cI want to see Keir Starmer succeed, because if he succeeds, then the country succeeds too … But last week\u2019s heartbreaking election results sent a clear message from the public that we cannot ignore.\u201d <\/p>\n

Labour needed \u201ca leader with the vision to take us into the next chapter\u201d and to \u201crebuild trust\u201d with communities across the country, he said. <\/p>\n

The party needed \u201ca change of direction and, ultimately, a new leader\u201d, he added.<\/p>\n

Jade Wilson – 5 hours ago<\/p>\n

Miatta Fahnbulleh becomes first minister to resign <\/p>\n

Calling for Starmer\u2019s resignation, Miatta Fahnbulleh, minister for devolution, faith and communities, has become the first minister to resign.<\/p>\n

She has posted on social media urging Starmer to \u201cdo the right thing for the country and the Party and set a timetable for an orderly transition\u201d. <\/p>\n

This morning I sent my letter of resignation to the Prime Minister.<\/p>\n

I urge the Prime Minister to do the right thing for the country and the Party and set a timetable for an orderly transition. pic.twitter.com\/u5UArjv7uR<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Miatta Fahnbulleh (@Miatsf) May 12, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Jade Wilson – 5 hours ago<\/p>\n

An \u2018orderly\u2019 or \u2018swift transition\u2019? MPs\u2019 language reveals all <\/p>\n

Mark Paul, our London Correspondent, writes: <\/p>\n

A rough way to distinguish between MPs who may be supporters of Andy Burnham and those of Wes Streeting is to watch the language they use when calling for Starmer to go. <\/p>\n

The first cohort of MPs over the weekend calling on the UK prime minister to step aside all used similar versions of the same, co-ordinated wording, such as the need for an \u201corderly transition of power\u201d.<\/p>\n

Louise Haigh was one such MP last Friday. This \u201corderly\u201d language indicated their preference for a later leadership contest to give Burnham time to return to parliament as MP. <\/p>\n

Streeting\u2019s outriders and acolytes were more prominent later on Monday, usually calling for a \u201cswift timetable\u201d for Starmer to quit. <\/p>\n

Chris Curtis, who broke ranks to ask Starmer to go on Monday afternoon, used this exact wording \u2013 he is one of Streeting\u2019s closest allies. <\/p>\n

The \u201cSwifites\u201d want a fast contest that would potentially be held before Burnham was eligible to take part, favouring Streeting.<\/p>\n

Jade Wilson – 6 hours ago<\/p>\n

If Starmer doesn\u2019t resign, how would a challenge work? <\/p>\n

Labour has strict rules governing \u200cthe \u200cremoval \u200bof a party leader, and the system requires lawmakers to coalesce around specific candidates rather than just express \u201cno confidence\u201d in their current \u2060leader. <\/p>\n

At the moment, most of \u200bthose against Starmer have called for him to \u200bset out a timetable for his own departure – effectively asking him to resign without \u200cneeding to be forced out. <\/p>\n

So, if he doesn\u2019t resign, how would a challenge work? <\/p>\n

Any candidate wishing to make a challenge would need to secure the support of 20 per cent of Labour members of parliament. <\/p>\n

With Labour holding 403 seats, that equates to 81 backers. Candidates also must meet thresholds for support from grassroots Labour \u200cParty organisations, and from \u2060affiliated organisations such as trade unions. <\/p>\n

Starmer would have an automatic right to be on the ballot paper, if he chose to fight the contest. If \u200conly one candidate qualifies, there is no vote: the candidate is elected unopposed as Labour leader and \u200bbecomes prime minister. <\/p>\n

If more than one candidate qualifies, the winner \u200bis decided by a ballot of all Labour Party members and affiliates. The winner would then become prime minister. – Reuters<\/p>\n

Jade Wilson – 6 hours ago<\/p>\n

The cabinet meeting is due to begin shortly. <\/p>\n

Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, has arrived to Downing Street by car and did not respond to questions from reporters as she entered the building.<\/p>\n

Reeves\u2019s fate is closely tied to Starmer\u2019s and a new leader would almost certainly replace her as chancellor.<\/p>\n

\"MediaMedia wait outside Number 10 Downing Street ahead of a cabinet meeting in central London. Photograph: Brook Mitchell AFP via Getty Images <\/p>\n

Jade Wilson – 7 hours ago<\/p>\n

Starmer is \u2018listening to colleagues\u2019, chief secretary says<\/p>\n

Starmer is \u201clistening to colleagues\u201d his chief secretary, Darren Jones, has said. Speaking on Times Radio, Jones said: \u201cHe\u2019s listening to colleagues and he\u2019s talking to colleagues. I can\u2019t get ahead of any decision he might take.\u201d <\/p>\n

He did not rule out the prime minister announcing a resignation timetable.<\/p>\n

In an interview with Sky News, he took the same line. Asked if he had spoken to Starmer, Jones said he \u201cspoke to the prime minister last night, as you would expect, and he is talking to colleagues who have raised issues yesterday\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut he was also very clear, as I\u2019m sure all of my colleagues are, that coming into the office this morning, as we all are doing, we\u2019re absolutely focused on our jobs, on delivering the things that we\u2019ve promised to deliver for the public.\u201d<\/p>\n

Asked if Starmer was considering setting out a timetable for his resignation, Jones said colleagues were \u201casking the prime minister to consider different options in the future. And, as I say, he rightfully is listening to them\u201d.<\/p>\n

Jade Wilson – 7 hours ago<\/p>\n

Cabinet meeting this morning at 9am as Starmer clings on<\/p>\n

The cabinet is meeting this morning, at 9am or soon after.<\/p>\n

Yesterday, Starmer said he would fight any bid to force him out, and still wanted to lead Labour into a battle \u201cfor Britain\u2019s soul\u201d with Nigel Farage\u2019s Reform UK party, as he insisted he would also fight any leadership challengers. <\/p>\n

He said voters would never forgive Labour if the party turned inwards on itself to focus on a leadership contest in the middle of a cost-of-living crisis. <\/p>\n

Meanwhile, The Guardian is reporting that two senior cabinet ministers \u2013 Yvette Cooper, the foreign secretary, and Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary \u2013 told the prime minister he should oversee an orderly transition of power. <\/p>\n

At least two others \u2013 believed to be John Healey and David Lammy \u2013 discussed with Starmer how they should take a \u201cresponsible, dignified, orderly\u201d approach to what might follow, The Guardian reported. <\/p>\n

Jade Wilson – 7 hours ago<\/p>\n

Upwards of 70 Labour MPs call for Starmer to step down<\/p>\n

Keir Starmer<\/a>\u2019s job as UK<\/a> prime minister appeared to be slipping away from him on Monday night as upwards of 70 of his Labour MPs called on him to step down or set out a timeline for departure.<\/p>\n

Several cabinet members were understood to have called for him to set out a timetable for his departure.<\/p>\n

Our London Correspondent, Mark Paul, has the full story here<\/a>.<\/p>\n