Labour MP Jonathan Brash sensationally calls for Keir Starmer to quit: ‘Not if, but when!’ | Politics | News
A Labor MP has called on crisis-hit Sir Keir Starmer to resign, saying it is a matter of whether and when the Prime Minister will resign. Backbencher Jonathan Brash made the request in the wake of the Lord Mandelson scandal, in which the Prime Minister was severely criticized for his lack of discretion in appointing the disgraced counterpart as US ambassador.
The Hartlepool MP’s surprising intervention came after two other Labor supporters, Clive Lewis and Peter Lamb, demanded the Prime Minister step aside. Asked why Sir Keir should resign, Mr Brash said: “Because ultimately we are completely caught up in this turmoil at a time when the British public is not focused.
“They’re focusing on living expenses. They’re focusing on the NHS. It’s reasonable to set a timetable to do this on an orderly basis because we have a very, very big job ahead of us.”
Mr Brash told GB News no one in the Labor Party expected the embattled Prime Minister to continue leading Labor at the next election.
“I must be clear that I am thoroughly fed up with the back teeth of this psychodrama in Westminster, with its own aims coming from the heart of this government,” he said.
“Meanwhile, we have fantastic Labor councillors, pollsters, activists across the country who are working hard and delivering for their constituents, like mine in Hartlepool, facing local elections in the shadow of this absolute chaos. They just need to get it under control.”
In a surprising shout-out, the infuriated Labor MP added: “I really think it’s a matter of when, not if, as far as the Prime Minister is concerned.”
Sir Keir is struggling for political survival after it was revealed that Lord Mandelson failed his security clearance. The Prime Minister said he was not informed of the review failure as he had previously told the House of Commons on several occasions that “due process” had been followed.
Mr Brash added: “I’m pretty angry about it. Ultimately I don’t think anyone right now reasonably expects the Prime Minister to lead the party at the next election.”
Asked if the Prime Minister would resign before the next election, the No 10 spokesman said: “No.”
