Over 60 Labour MPs Call for Starmer to Quit After Speech

Over 60 Labour MPs have urged Keir Starmer to resign after his latest speech, with many calling for a September leadership contest.

That represents roughly 15% of the parliamentary party signalling unrest.

Starmer delivered a speech to Labour members at a London community centre on Monday, shortly after the party’s weak result in recent local elections. He acknowledged public frustration and took responsibility for not walking away from government, but his remarks failed to reassure many MPs who fear the leadership is becoming untenable.

Prior to the speech, around 40 MPs had already pressed him to set a timetable for his departure. The atmosphere in the room was tense, with senior figures noting his furrowed brow and lack of tie as signs of strain.

By 6 p.m., over 60 Labour MPs, including three junior frontbenchers, had publicly urged Starmer to quit. This surge followed Catherine West’s announcement that she was gathering signatures to demand a timetable for a September leadership election.

West, who had initially launched a challenge on Saturday, shifted her call to an orderly transition, saying she was collecting names of MPs who want Starmer to announce a contest next month. The list grew steadily through the day, crossing the sixty‑mark by early evening.

The revolt shows that a minority of Labour’s MPs doubt Starmer’s ability to lead the party into the next general election. While the number is still below a majority, the momentum could encourage more colleagues to speak out if the pressure continues.

Cabinet members such as the foreign secretary, home secretary, defence secretary and deputy prime minister have reportedly urged Starmer to consider an orderly exit, indicating that unease extends beyond the backbenches. Conversely, some senior figures have advised him to stay and fight on, highlighting a split within the leadership.

Watch for whether Starmer will respond with a timetable for a leadership vote, how many more MPs join the call, and whether any challenge emerges before the party conference.