Sky News: Starmer refuses to discuss resignation

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declined to discuss his resignation during a Cabinet meeting, even as pressure mounts within the ruling Labour Party following poor local election results, Sky News reported, citing sources.

Thus, Starmer told ministers during a Cabinet session focused on the Iran conflict that he would not debate the issue of his resignation in front of colleagues, though he was willing to hear private concerns. 

However, the broadcaster added that after the meeting, he did not proceed with planned one-to-one discussions, including with Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who is seen by some as a potential successor.

The report comes amid a deepening political crisis for Labour following the 7 May local elections, in which the party lost control of the Welsh Parliament for the first time and suffered significant losses across England, shedding around 1,400 council seats compared with its previous position.

Starmer has accepted responsibility for the results but has rejected calls to step down as both Prime Minister and Labour leader.

Tensions within the party have escalated, with several junior ministers resigning in protest, including Housing Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh and Home Office minister Jess Phillips, alongside a number of aides.

The number of Labour MPs publicly calling for Starmer’s resignation has reportedly risen to around 80, out of the party’s 403 seats in the 650-seat House of Commons. Critics warn that continued leadership under Starmer could weaken Labour’s prospects ahead of the next general election, expected no later than August 2029.

By Aghakazim Guliyev