{"id":955203,"date":"2026-05-12T16:54:20","date_gmt":"2026-05-12T16:54:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/955203\/"},"modified":"2026-05-12T16:54:20","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T16:54:20","slug":"streeting-ally-zubir-ahmed-fourth-minister-to-resign-amid-calls-for-keir-starmers-exit-the-irish-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/955203\/","title":{"rendered":"Streeting ally Zubir Ahmed fourth minister to resign amid calls for Keir Starmer\u2019s exit \u2013 The Irish Times"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Main Points <\/p>\n<ul class=\"c-unordered-list \">\n<li class=\"c-list-item \">Four ministers have resigned, firstly Miatta Fahnbulleh, minister for devolution, faith and communities, who called on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/tags\/keir-starmer\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/tags\/keir-starmer\/\">Keir Starmer<\/a> to go <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-list-item \">Followed by Jess Phillips, the safeguarding minister, Alex Davies-Jones, the minister for victims and health minister Zubir Ahmed <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-list-item \">The British prime minister told his cabinet this morning <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/world\/uk\/2026\/05\/12\/keir-starmer-labour-leadership-live-updates\/#12414\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/world\/uk\/2026\/05\/12\/keir-starmer-labour-leadership-live-updates\/#12414\">he intends to fight on<\/a> amid calls for his resignation<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-list-item \">No one challenged Starmer at the cabinet meeting nor suggested he should go, Pat McFadden, the work and pensions secretary, said<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-list-item \">More than 70 of the 403 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/tags\/labour-party-uk\/\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/tags\/labour-party-uk\/\" target=\"_blank\">Labour<\/a>\u00a0MPs have called on him to resign or set out a timeline for departure<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-list-item \">Under Labour Party rules, a leadership challenger requires support from 20 per cent of Labour MPs (81) <\/li>\n<li class=\"c-list-item \">Starmer has been under huge pressure following his party\u2019s dire performance in elections last week<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Key Reads Ireland would work on good rapport with any UK leader, \u2018including Farage\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Political Editor Pat Leahy reports on another well-placed commentator\u2019s view of the Irish-Downing Street relationship. Former ambassador to the UK, Dan Mulhall, said that while the Irish Government might be happy to see Starmer survive, it would quickly move to establish a relationship with his successor.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cWe have to have a rapport with whoever is in Downing Street,\u201d he said, \u201cincluding if Farage was there in the future. We would have to have a rapport with him.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Revolving door at Downing Street a \u2018problem\u2019 for White House<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The US ambassador to London, Warren Stephens, has said the \u201cfrequent turnover\u201d of UK prime ministers creates a \u201cproblem\u201d for Washington DC in building personal ties.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Asked if the instability of leadership made it more difficult for the US to deal with the UK, Stephens told LBC Radio: \u201cI don\u2019t really think so. I think the policies don\u2019t really change that much so long as the party in power is still in power.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cBut certainly the ability to have personal relationships matters, and to the extent that there\u2019s frequent turnover \u2013 that\u2019s a problem.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">He declined to say whether Donald Trump would be saddened if Keir Starmer stood down, adding: \u201cI\u2019d be sad to see him go. I get along with him fine.<\/p>\n<p>Health minister quits, adding Starmer\u2019s position is \u2018wholly untenable\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Health minister Zubir Ahmed \u2013 an ally of West Streeting \u2013 has resigned from Starmer\u2019s government, citing a \u201clack of values-driven leadership\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">In his letter resigning as minister, the MP for Glasgow South West opened by writing: \u201cDear Prime Minister, it is with a heavy heart that I write to you to resign from your Government as health innovation and safety minister.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Further down, he added: \u201cBut as I raise my gaze above the daily work of ministerial life, it is clear to see that whatever the magnitude of individual achievements and progress, they are now being dwarfed and undermined by a lack of values-driven leadership at the centre.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cIt is clear from recent days, that the public across the UK has now irretrievably lost confidence in you as Prime Minister.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Ahmed went on to describe Starmer\u2019s continuation in office as \u201cwholly untenable\u201d. \u2013 Associated Press<\/p>\n<p>Starmer has been a \u2018breath of fresh air\u2019 for Ireland<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The Irish Government is likely to be sorry to see Starmer go if he is forced out in the coming days, writes Political Editor Pat Leahy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Relations between Dublin and the British governments led by Theresa May, Liz Truss and Boris Johnson were extremely difficult due to Brexit, though they recovered somewhat under Rishi Sunak during his relatively short period in charge.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Under Starmer, however, there has been a revival of the previously close \u2013 and personally warm \u2013 relations between Government Buildings and Downing Street.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Former senior diplomat Bobby McDonagh, who served as Ireland\u2019s ambassador in London, said Starmer had been \u201ca breath of fresh air\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">His understanding of Northern Ireland and his desire to establish a closer relationship with the EU has facilitated much closer co-operation with Dublin. The Irish Government was happy to support Starmer and help with relations with Brussels. The British prime minister struck up good personal relationships, first with Simon Harris and latterly with Miche\u00e1l Martin.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"UK prime minister Keir Starmer with Taoiseach Miche&#xE1;l Martin ahead of the UK-Ireland Summit in Cork in March. Photograph: Cathal McNaughton - Pool\/Getty Images\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/K6SJ6URHH2JXJIYYR5O6CQRCU4.jpg\"   width=\"800\" height=\"533\"\/>UK prime minister Keir Starmer with Taoiseach Miche\u00e1l Martin ahead of the UK-Ireland Summit in Cork in March. Photograph: Cathal McNaughton &#8211; Pool\/Getty Images <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The Coalition will watch events in Westminster closely as they unfold. Dealing with new governments and new people, though, is a constant in diplomacy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cYou deal with the government of the day and you do outreach to other people,\u201d says McDonagh.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Sources acknowledged, though, that it\u2019s hard to establish relationships with the government of the day when it keeps changing. If Starmer goes, the UK will be planning for its fifth prime minister since Brexit was officially enacted in 2020. <\/p>\n<p>Jade Wilson &#8211; 2 hours ago<\/p>\n<p>More than 100 Labour MPs sign letter saying it\u2019s \u2018no time for leadership contest\u2019<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">More than 100 Labour MPs have signed a letter saying this is \u201cno time for a leadership contest\u201d, The Guardian is reporting.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">103 backbenchers and parliamentary private secretaries  have signed the statement, which was organised by a group of backbenchers, many from the 2024 intake. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">So far, the number exceeds those calling for him to quit.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The letter says: \u201cLast week we had a devastatingly tough set of election results. It shows we have a hard job ahead to win back trust from the electorate.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cThat job needs to start today \u2013 with all of us working together to deliver the change the country needs. We must focus on that. This is no time for a leadership contest.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">This means the pro-Starmer camp is outnumbering the anti-Starmer camp \u2013 but only just. According to the LabourList tally, 88 Labour MPs have said the PM should go.<\/p>\n<p>Jade Wilson &#8211; 3 hours ago<\/p>\n<p><b>Who are the favourites to replace Starmer if he goes?<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Starmer\u2019s Downing Street team saw  health secretary Wes Streeting as the biggest threat. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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 \u2013 and has made no secret of her leadership ambitions. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Polling, meanwhile, shows Andy Burnham would be preferred as prime minister over Nigel Farage by the country as a whole.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p>Jade Wilson &#8211; 3 hours ago<\/p>\n<p>Third minister resigns, saying Starmer must quit <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Davies-Jones represents Pontypridd in south Wales, where the Labour defeat was particularly disastrous.<\/p>\n<p>Jade Wilson &#8211; 4 hours ago<\/p>\n<p>Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips resigns<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Jess Phillips, the safeguarding minister, has resigned, Sky News is reporting. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">She says she can no longer support Keir Starmer as PM.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Phillips is an ally of Wes Streeting\u2019s. <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">EXCLUSIVE: Jess Phillips, safeguarding minister, resigns from govt. \u201cThe desire not to have an argument means we rarely make an argument&#8230;&#8221; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/cC6hGFL1Rl\">pic.twitter.com\/cC6hGFL1Rl<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Beth Rigby (@BethRigby) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BethRigby\/status\/2054169757247524897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">May 12, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Jade Wilson &#8211; 6 hours ago<\/p>\n<p>Mark Paul\u2019s update on UK prime minister Keir Starmer\u2019s position. Video: Mark Paul <b>Analysis: Starmer digs in \u2013 but will his ministers stand by him?<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Mark Paul, our London Correspondent, writes:<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Standing here on Downing Street, it is clear that Starmer is digging in.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Starmer is essentially telling his challengers to come and have a go at him if they want his job.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p>Jade Wilson &#8211; 6 hours ago<\/p>\n<p>\u2018No challenges\u2019 against Starmer at cabinet meeting<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">No one challenged Keir Starmer at the cabinet meeting nor  suggested he should go,  Pat McFadden, the work and pensions secretary, said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Speaking to reporters as he left Number 10, McFadden said the government should \u201ccarry on\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Jade Wilson &#8211; 6 hours ago<\/p>\n<p>\u2018The PM has my full support\u2019: Starmer loyalists brief the media<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Mark Paul, our London Correspondent at Number 10 Downing Street, writes:<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\u201cKeir is showing steadfast leadership,\u201d says business secretary Peter Kyle, a known Starmer loyalist.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Steve Reed, the housing minister, another ally of Starmer, says members of the cabinet intend to \u201cget on with their jobs\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Liz Kendall, the science minister, says: \u201cThe PM has my full support.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Others such as Wes  Streeting and Ed Miliband, however, have walked past the waiting media without commenting.<\/p>\n<p>Jade Wilson &#8211; 7 hours ago<\/p>\n<p>Steve Reed backs Starmer, says ministers intend to \u2018get on with our jobs\u2019 <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\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<p>Jade Wilson &#8211; 7 hours ago<\/p>\n<p>Starmer intends to fight on<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Mark Paul, our London Correspondent at Number 10 Downing Street, writes:<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p>Jade Wilson &#8211; 8 hours ago<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"Deputy prime minister David Lammy and attorney general Richard Hermer arrive at Downing Street. Photograph: Carl Court\/Getty Images\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/WQ6UMKQERMVLPYPVKNDUZOZFYI.jpg\"   width=\"800\" height=\"533\"\/>Deputy prime minister David Lammy and attorney general Richard Hermer arrive at Downing Street. Photograph: Carl Court\/Getty Images <b>Cabinet ministers arrive for crunch meeting<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Mark Paul, our London Correspondent, writes: <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Inside, a crunch cabinet meeting is getting under way that may decide the immediate future of the UK prime minister.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">It seems his cabinet may be split  on his future, which doesn\u2019t bode well for Starmer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p>Jade Wilson &#8211; 8 hours ago<\/p>\n<p>Labour MP Paul Foster calls for Starmer\u2019s resignation<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Paul Foster, the Labour MP for South Ribble, has  issued a statement calling for Starmer\u2019s resignation. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">He wrote: \u201cI want to see Keir Starmer succeed, because if he succeeds, then the country succeeds too &#8230; But last week\u2019s heartbreaking election results sent a clear message from the public that we cannot ignore.\u201d <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The party needed \u201ca change of direction and, ultimately, a new leader\u201d, he added.<\/p>\n<p>Jade Wilson &#8211; 8 hours ago<\/p>\n<p>Miatta Fahnbulleh becomes first minister to resign <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Calling for Starmer\u2019s resignation, Miatta Fahnbulleh, minister for devolution, faith and communities, has become the first minister to resign.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">This morning I sent my letter of resignation to the Prime Minister.<\/p>\n<p>I urge the Prime Minister to do the right thing for the country and the Party and set a timetable for an orderly transition. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/u5UArjv7uR\">pic.twitter.com\/u5UArjv7uR<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Miatta Fahnbulleh (@Miatsf) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Miatsf\/status\/2054112850323378533?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">May 12, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Jade Wilson &#8211; 8 hours ago<\/p>\n<p>An \u2018orderly\u2019 or \u2018swift transition\u2019? MPs\u2019 language reveals all <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Mark Paul, our London Correspondent, writes: <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Streeting\u2019s outriders and acolytes were more prominent later on Monday, usually calling for a \u201cswift timetable\u201d for Starmer to quit. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The \u201cSwifites\u201d want a fast contest that would potentially be held before Burnham was eligible to take part, favouring Streeting.<\/p>\n<p>Jade Wilson &#8211; 8 hours ago<\/p>\n<p>If Starmer doesn\u2019t resign, how would a challenge work? <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">At the moment, most of \u200bthose against Starmer have called for him to \u200bset out a timetable for his own departure &#8211; effectively asking him to resign without \u200cneeding to be forced out. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">So, if he doesn\u2019t resign, how would a challenge work? <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Any candidate wishing to make a challenge would need to secure the support of 20 per cent of Labour members of parliament. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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. &#8211; Reuters<\/p>\n<p>Jade Wilson &#8211; 8 hours ago<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The cabinet meeting is due to begin shortly. <\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Reeves\u2019s fate is closely tied to Starmer\u2019s and a new leader would almost certainly replace her as chancellor.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" data-chromatic=\"ignore\" alt=\"Media wait outside Number 10 Downing Street ahead of a cabinet meeting in central London. Photograph: Brook Mitchell AFP via Getty Images\" class=\"c-image\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/RMY6OPXKXWSPXQX72KU6SEKXXE.jpg\"   width=\"800\" height=\"533\"\/>Media wait outside Number 10 Downing Street ahead of a cabinet meeting in central London. Photograph: Brook Mitchell AFP via Getty Images <\/p>\n<p>Jade Wilson &#8211; 9 hours ago<\/p>\n<p>Starmer is \u2018listening to colleagues\u2019, chief secretary says<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">He did not rule out the prime minister announcing a resignation timetable.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">\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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p>Jade Wilson &#8211; 10 hours ago<\/p>\n<p>Cabinet meeting this morning at 9am as Starmer clings on<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">The cabinet is meeting this morning, at 9am or soon after.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">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<p>Jade Wilson &#8211; 10 hours ago<\/p>\n<p>Upwards of 70 Labour MPs call for Starmer to step down<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/tags\/keir-starmer\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/tags\/keir-starmer\/\">Keir Starmer<\/a>\u2019s job as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/world\/uk\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/world\/uk\/\">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<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Several cabinet members were understood to have called for him to set out a timetable for his departure.<\/p>\n<p class=\"c-paragraph free \">Our London Correspondent, Mark Paul, has the full story <a href=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/world\/uk\/2026\/05\/11\/keir-starmer-under-pressure-as-70-mps-call-for-him-to-go-or-set-out-timeline-for-departure\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"https:\/\/www.irishtimes.com\/world\/uk\/2026\/05\/11\/keir-starmer-under-pressure-as-70-mps-call-for-him-to-go-or-set-out-timeline-for-departure\/\">here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Main Points Four ministers have resigned, firstly Miatta Fahnbulleh, minister for devolution, faith and communities, who called on&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":955204,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,4],"tags":[807,38002,12,16,3106,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-955203","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-uk","8":"category-united-kingdom","9":"tag-keir-starmer","10":"tag-labour-party-uk","11":"tag-news","12":"tag-uk","13":"tag-uk-politics","14":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/116562657292452948","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/955203","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=955203"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/955203\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/955204"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=955203"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=955203"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=955203"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}