Second Labour MP calls for Keir Starmer to quit in huge blow to PM | Politics | News
Another Labor MP has broken ranks to call for the resignation of the embattled Sir Keir Starmer. Labor backbencher Graham Stringer said the Prime Minister should set a timetable for his departure to allow time for a new Labor leader to be elected. He is the second Labor MP to speak publicly after Jonathan Brash said “no one reasonably expects” Sir Keir to lead Labor at the next election. The calls pile more pressure on the Prime Minister, who is clinging to power amid the Mandelson investigation scandal.
Mr Stringer, MP for Blackley and Middleton South, told GB News: “I don’t think the Prime Minister can survive the rest of this Parliament. I think the right thing for him to do is not to resign immediately because that would leave a huge gap in the middle of government. But he should announce a timetable for him to go so that Labor can have a proper discussion and debate about what is best for the country, what is best for Labor and choose a leader accordingly.”
Mr Stringer said he was “extraordinarily disappointed” with Sir Keir’s government.
He added: “The chaos that was true of the last government is also true of this government.
“There have been 18 U-turns, there is nothing wrong with a U-turn if you make a mistake and you realize the mistake, but the 18 mistakes that need to be corrected are the mistakes of a government that didn’t know what it was doing and a leadership that didn’t lead.”
His intervention came after Mr Brash yesterday became the first Labor MP to publicly call for Sir Keir to go.
The Hartlepool MP said: “I think it’s gotten to the point now where I really think it’s not a case of when it comes to the Prime Minister, it’s not a matter of when it’s going to happen, and I just think we need to address it.”
Mr Brash added: “Ultimately, I don’t think anyone reasonable expects the Prime Minister to lead the party at the next election, and I think we need to refocus this Government on the priorities of the British people.”
But Sir Keir lashed out at opposition parties during his visit to Newcastle today when he was asked whether he was considering resigning.
He said: “Last week my political rivals were saying it was impossible for an officer not to tell me about the results of an enhanced security investigation.
“It turns out my political opponents were completely wrong about this.
“Then they said I wasn’t being honest. Turns out they were totally wrong about that.
“They are now making every argument they can and I will tell you why – they are politically opposed to what this Government is trying to achieve.”
