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Andy Burnham’s sensational announcement that he will once again seek a return to parliament sealed a day of immense political drama.  The move marks Burnham’s second attempt at a parliamentary comeback, after Labour’s national executive committee (NEC), Starmer-in-council, thwarted his prospective candidacy for the February 2026 Gorton and Denton by-election. That contest proceeded without Burnham... Read more » The post Patrick Gordon Walker’s 1965 defeat is a cautionary tale for Andy Burnham  appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Wes Streeting has resigned as health secretary, saying it is now clear that Keir Starmer will not “lead the Labour Party into the next general election.” Streeting, who has headed the Department of Health and Social Care since the 2024 general election, described the 2026 local and devolved parliament elections as “unprecedented”.  In his resignation... Read more » The post Wes Streeting resigns as health secretary – letter in full appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Jess Phillips has resigned as a Home Office minister.  In a letter addressed to the prime minister, Phillips called on Keir Starmer to step down, saying she could not “keep waiting around for a crisis to push for faster progress”. Phillips is the second minister to resign from the government since the 2026 local elections... Read more » The post Jess Phillips resigns appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

The first minister to resign from Keir Starmer’s government has called for the prime minister to step down and oversee “an orderly transition” to a new leader.  Miatta Fahnbulleh stepped down as minister for devolution, faith and communities on Tuesday morning. In a letter addressed to the prime minister, she said that the government had... Read more » The post First minister to resign says Starmer has lost ‘confidence of the public’ appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Keir Starmer is in “listening” mode, a senior cabinet ally has suggested as the prime minister faces a chorus of calls to resign.  Darren Jones, the chief secretary to the prime minister, insisted that Starmer is “getting on with the job” but appeared to confirm that he is now considering his political future.  Jones recognised... Read more » The post Keir Starmer is ‘listening’ to mutinous colleagues, says ‘sad’ cabinet ally appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Keir Starmer has suffered his first resignations as the calls for him to step down as prime minister grow. Tom Rutland, a parliamentary private secretary (PPS) in the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, was the first to issue a statement announcing his decision to resign. A PPS acts as an unpaid parliamentary assistant,... Read more » The post Ministerial aides quit as calls for Starmer to resign grow appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Keir Starmer vowed to prove his “doubters” wrong in a make-or-break speech on Monday morning.  The prime minister warned of “very dangerous opponents”, alluding to insurgent political forces on the right and left, and pledged to embrace a closer relationship with Europe.  Read Starmer’s speech in full.  The election results last week were tough, very... Read more » The post Starmer’s attempt to save his premiership – speech in full appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

Angela Rayner has criticised what she calls a “toxic culture of cronyism” in a 1000-word statement issued after this week’s local elections. Rayner, who resigned as deputy prime minister in September 2025, has called on the Labour Party to “live up to our name: we must be the party of working people.” She further warned... Read more » The post Angela Rayner says Starmer must ‘meet the moment’ – statement in full appeared first on Politics.co.uk.

A prime minister under not inconsiderable political pressure faces a leadership challenge from an obscure backbench MP posing as a proxy for more prominent pretenders.  These words accurately describe the political landscape Keir Starmer, Britain’s incumbent embattled premier, faces after Catherine West announced her plan to launch a leadership bid. West’s plan, hastily organised in... Read more » The post The stalking horse returns: what Thatcher’s 1989 challenge tells us about Starmer’s test appeared first on

Catherine West has threatened to launch a leadership bid that could topple the prime minister.  The Labour MP issued a momentous intervention after her party’s drubbing in the elections this week. On Saturday afternoon, West called on the cabinet to “reorganise themselves” and put forward their “best communicator” to replace Starmer. Speaking to BBC News... Read more » The post Starmer’s ‘stalking horse’: who is Labour challenger Catherine West?  appeared first on Politics.co.uk.