A Greater Manchester MP has called on Sir Keir Starmer to stand down, saying the Prime Minister is ‘despised on the doorstep’.
Graham Stringer – who has previously called for the PM to go in the wake of the Peter Mandelson scandal – repeated his call today, as Labour was digesting a nationwide vote collapse in the local elections.
The veteran Labour backbencher, MP for Blackley and Middleton South, called the local election result ‘a completely wasted opportunity’ for Labour. And he claimed Sir Keir, in his opinion, has lost the support of his cabinet.
Click here for the latest on Greater Manchester’s politics in our newsletter
Mr Stringer, 76, said he had personally been out on the doorstep speaking to voters ahead of the local elections, in which Reform UK made sweeping gains across the country.
As Nigel Farage hailed a ‘truly historic shift in British politics’, Sir Keir insisted he would carry on as Prime Minister, despite the Labour losses.
Vote counting continues throughout Friday in English local elections – including at Manchester, Bury, Trafford and Rochdale councils.
Overnight – in Wigan, Bolton, Salford, Tameside, Oldham and Stockport – Labour lost a total of 65 town hall seats.
Mr Stringer told the Manchester Evening News Sir Keir should set a timetable for his exit rather than quit at once. He said: “The PM is despised on the doorstep for some of the decisions he has taken. Winter fuel allowance is one people immediately think of.
Graham Stringer
“He has failed to deal with immigration after half a dozen announcements. Some policies are deeply unpopular with Labour voters. Energy bills and the health service – given the amount of money that has gone in, there hasn’t been enough improvement.
“People are angry with him on that basis, so it is a squandered opportunity.
“I think the Prime Minister should give us a timetable for when he is going. I do not think there is any doubt that he will go. But if a journalist asks him the question he will always say no.
“He has lost the support of the party and as far as I can tell, the cabinet as well.”
Nigel Farage(Image: Getty Images)
Other Greater Manchester MPs have also voiced their frustration and anger over the results, although Mr Stringer is the first in our region to directly call for the Prime Minister to go in the wake of the local elections.
Jo Platt, Labour MP for Leigh and Atherton, said: “It is about the voters. They wanted to give us a kicking and they have. This is about the voters. This is about listening and that’s what we’ve got to take stock of locally and nationally. We have got to listen to what they said and it starts tomorrow.”
Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our WhatsApp group by clicking HERE
Rebecca Long-Bailey, Labour MP for Salford, reacted after the party lost 13 seats on the night.
She told the M.E.N.: “It’s just soul destroying. I think we’ve lost so many good councillors tonight who didn’t deserve to lose their seats. Good candidates standing for the first or second time that should have won. It’s not on them this terrible defeat in Salford tonight.
“They’ve been working hard for the city and the national party needs to understand the scale of the defeat.
“It isn’t just about a few things here and there, it’s about fundamental trust in the party and the fact that over the last 12 months we’ve done things that were silly.”
Sir Keir has already faced speculation about his position, with the Times reporting Energy Secretary and former leader Ed Miliband had urged the Prime Minister to set out a timetable for his departure.
But Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy urged his party not to play “pass the parcel” with the leadership in response to the election results. Defence Secretary John Healey also said Sir Keir should be given more time, saying “he can still turn it round”.
But Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash, who watched his wife lose her council seat overnight as Reform UK surged in the authority, said: “It’s clear to me that the Prime Minister should take this opportunity to set out a timetable for his own departure, and then allow for the widest possible leadership election that includes all the talents of our party.”
—-
Tears for some, joy for others. Momentous results, political drama and a huge shift in Greater Manchester local politics.The Manchester Evening News has covered all the results, bringing you them first, along with insight, analysis and on the ground reporting. Only your MEN can do this sort of reporting in our region.If you appreciate what we’re doing you may want to support trusted local journalism by trying out our new Premium offering. You can subscribe here for the price of a coffee per month for exclusive content, and an ad-lite experience tailored for people who really want the inside track on what’s happening in our great city region. Thanks for your support.