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By:
Associated Press
- 12 May 2026 12:31
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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told members on Tuesday of his cabinet that he has no intention of resigning, while calls within the Labor Party for his removal have increased.
Starmer is trying to secure support within the cabinet after several days of tension, following the Labour Party's heavy losses in local elections last week, which, if repeated in a national election, would remove the party from power.
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Letter to the Reader — Why We're Asking for Your Support ContributeThe meeting came after more than 70 Labour MPs, representing almost a fifth of the party's parliamentary group in the House of Commons, called for Starmer to step down or at least set a deadline for his resignation. It is seen as a sign of discontent within Labour, as no one has yet announced a leadership bid to directly challenge Starmer.
On Tuesday, Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh resigned, calling on Starmer to "do the right thing for the country" and set a deadline for his departure.
Fahnbulleh, who was minister for housing, communities and local government and is considered part of the party's left wing, said she was proud of her service but that the government had not acted with the vision, pace and mandate for change given to it by voters.
“Nor have we governed as a Labour Party clear about our values and strong in our convictions,” she said.
Despite a convincing victory in the July 2024 election, Labour's popularity has fallen and Starmer is taking most of the blame.
The reasons are varied, including several policy mistakes, a perceived lack of vision, the weak British economy and questions about his judgment — particularly the appointment of Peter Mandelson as British ambassador to Washington, despite his links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
However, Starmer reiterated his determination to stay in office.
Fourth minister in Starmer's cabinet resigns
Another Labour Party minister, Zubir Ahmed, has resigned from the government led by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, citing a “lack of values-based leadership.” Ahmed is the fourth minister to resign from Starmer’s cabinet following Labour’s disastrous results in local elections.
Ahmed, Minister for Health Innovation and Security, has said he is proud of his work in improving the National Health Service (NHS) despite resigning.
“But as I look back over the day-to-day work of ministerial life, it is clear that despite the magnitude of individual achievements and progress, they are now being undermined and undermined by a lack of values-based leadership,” Ahmed wrote in “X” on Tuesday. “It is clear from recent days that the public across the UK has now irrevocably lost confidence in you as prime minister.”
He is the fourth minister to call for Starmer to step down, and one of more than 80 other MPs reportedly calling for a contest to be opened for the Labour Party leadership.
Meanwhile, the BBC has reported that over 100 Labour MPs have signed a joint statement in support of the British Prime Minister.
Another minister resigns from Starmer's government
Photo: Associated Press
Defence Minister Jess Phillips resigned from Prime Minister Keir Starmer's government on Tuesday, saying "actions, not words, matter."
Phillips has become the second minister in Starmer's cabinet to resign.
Earlier on Tuesday, this was done by the minister, Miatta Fahnbulleh.
Prime Minister Starmer has come under increasing pressure to resign, following the Labour Party's heavy losses in last week's local elections.
However, Starmer is currently refusing to do so.