Labour minister resignations intensify calls for Keir Starmer to step down

Zubir Ahmed and Keir StarmerA minister who resigned over Keir Starmer’s leadership has called on cabinet members to speak out against the prime minister.Zubir Ahmed left his government role on Tuesday, saying Starmer’s “continuation in office is wholly untenable.”He urged him to set a timetable for “an expedient and orderly transition to new leadership that commands the confidence of our country.”He was the fourth minister to resign on Tuesday, after Miatta Fahnbulleh, Jess Phillips and Alex Davies-Jones.Four ministerial aides also quit on Monday and more than 80 Labour MPs have publicly urged the prime minister to step down following the party’s drubbing in last week’s elections in England, Wales and Scotland.However, no one in the cabinet has joined the dissenting voices just yet. Speaking to BBC Radio 4′s Today programme on Wednesday, Ahmed called on the senior members of Starmer’s government to “articulate their dissatisfaction” with the prime minister.He said: “I think it’s very telling – just as ministers in the junior ministerial ranks have stepped forward to articulate their dissatisfaction, some of us publicly but more of us privately – that the whole of the cabinet has not, on this occasion, been able to articulate support for the prime minister in the full-throated way that would have perhaps had happen in the past.“I think there is a responsibility on all of us in parliament and ministerial office to be honest with ourselves and the prime minister at this time.”He added: “We have been put in these positions by the public, to govern the country and to lead, and I think this is a moment for leadership and everyone, to articulate, with honesty, their opinion on the prime minister.”Ahmed is a known ally to health secretary Wes Streeting, who is a potential rival to the prime minister.He had a private coffee with the prime minister on Wednesday morning, allegedly to ask Starmer how he was going to turn his party’s fortunes around.The health secretary left after less than 20 minutes."I think it's very telling... that the whole of the Cabinet has not, on this occasion, been able to articulate support for the PM."Labour MP Zubir Ahmed, who quit his job as a junior health minister yesterday, says it is time for 'everyone to articulate with honesty’. pic.twitter.com/EvMJEY5dcW— BBC Radio 4 Today (@BBCr4today) May 13, 2026Subscribe to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.Related...Blow For Starmer As Labour-Backing Unions Say He Won't Lead Party Into Next ElectionStarmer Warns Labour MPs Not To 'Turn Back To Chaos' Of The Tories Ahead Of Streeting ShowdownMore Than 100 Labour MPs Sign A Letter Of Support For Starmer

Keir Starmer is still holding on, despite the mounting calls for him to quitA growing list of ministers have resigned from government and urged Keir Starmer to quit as discontent towards the prime minister grows.Labour is in turmoil after voters gave the party a beating at the elections in England, Wales and Scotland last week.More than 80 MPs have publicly called for the prime minister to resign as a result – along with multiple ministers.None of his rivals have publicly challenged Starmer yet and 20% of the Parliamentary Labour Party (81 MPs) need to rally behind one replacement candidate to formally trigger a leadership contest.However, ministerial resignations make it much harder for the PM to run a government as it undermines his authority.Cabinet ministers have reportedly been urging the PM to resign behind the scenes, too.Even so, Starmer has dug in so far and has insisted he is getting on with the job of governing.Here’s a breakdown of all the ministerial resignations so far...1. Miatta FahnbullehThe junior minister for devolution, faith and communities, Fahnbulleh was the first minister out the block on Tuesday.She told Starmer: “The public does not believe that you can lead this change – and nor do I.” In a letter to the prime minister shared on social media, she said: “We have not acted with the vision, pace and ambition that our mandate for change demands of us. Nor have we governed as Labour Party clear about our values and strong in our convictions.”She added: “Therefore I urge you to do the right thing for the country and the Party and set a timetable for an orderly transition so that a new team can deliver the change we promised the country.”According to the BBC, she has already backed Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to take over No.10 – even though he needs to win a seat in parliament first.2. Jess PhillipsPhillips quit as safeguarding minister with a brutal letter of resignation to Starmer.An ally to Wes Streeting, the health secretary widely expected to challenge Starmer, she wrote: “I think you are a good man fundamentally, who cares about the right things however I have seen first-hand how that is not enough.“The desire not to have an argument means we rarely make an argument, leaving opportunities for progress stalled and delayed.”She continued: “Labour governments come around rarely is the constant refrain at the moment. It’s true they are precious.“Every Labour government in my and my family’s lifetime has forged progress that changed our country and the world for the better. I know you care deeply, but deeds, not words are what matter. “I’m not sure we are grasping this rare opportunity with the gusto that’s needed and I cannot keep waiting around for a crisis to push for faster progress.”She added: “Politics is as much about feelings as policy, especially at the moment.“I want a Labour government to work and I will strive as I always have for its success and popularity, but I’m not seeing the change I think I, and the country expect, and so cannot continue to serve as a minister under the current leadership.”3. Alex Davies-JonesThe minister for victims and violence against women and girls handed in her resignation letter on Tuesday afternoon.Davies-Jones said the scale of losses in the Senedd and across the UK have been “catastrophic”.“The country has spoken and we must listen,” she said. “We waited fourteen years to get into power and change the lives of those we represent.“The time now is for bold, radical action. I know you to be a good and honest man. But in my heart are my constituents, the victims I have had the honour of working with every day, including the Hillsborough victims and their families, and all those who demand better of us.“I implore you to act in the country’s interest and set out a timetable for your departure.”Subscribe to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.Related...Labour Leadership Runners And Riders: Who Could Replace Keir Starmer As Prime Minister?'The Game Is Up': Labour Descends Into Open Warfare As Cabinet Ministers Tell Keir Starmer To QuitKeir Starmer Clings On As Dozens Of Labour MPs Call On Him To Quit

Miatta Fahnbulleh MP, Minister for Devolution, Faith and Communities, speaks at the Fabian Society New Year Conference in London, United Kingdom on January 24, 2026. A government minister has resigned and called on Keir Starmer to set out a timetable for his departure.Miattah Fahnbulleh was the minister for devolution, faith and communities, and has now added to the growing calls for the prime minister to quit.She told Starmer: “The public does not believe that you can lead this change – and nor do I.”More than 80 Labour MPs have now called on the prime minister to step down following the party’s drubbing at the elections in England, Scotland and Wales last week.The prime minister has insisted he will not “walk away” from his job in No.10, and even claimed at the weekend he wants a decade in power.However, Fahnbulleh has become the first government minister to officially give Starmer the push.In a letter to the prime minister shared on social media, she said: “We have not acted with the vision, pace and ambition that our mandate for change demands of us. Nor have we governed as Labour Party clear about our values and strong in our convictions.”She added: “Our country faces enormous challenges and people are crying out for the scale of change that this requires.“The public does not believe that you can lead this change – and nor do I.“Therefore I urge you to do the right thing for the country and the Party and set a timetable for an orderly transition so that a new team can deliver the change we promised the country.”It comes after several senior cabinet ministers reportedly told Starmer to resign in private.This morning I sent my letter of resignation to the Prime Minister.I urge the Prime Minister to do the right thing for the country and the Party and set a timetable for an orderly transition. pic.twitter.com/u5UArjv7uR— Miatta Fahnbulleh (@Miatsf) May 12, 2026Subscribe to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.Related...'The Game Is Up': Labour Descends Into Open Warfare As Cabinet Ministers Tell Keir Starmer To QuitKeir Starmer Clings On As Dozens Of Labour MPs Call On Him To Quit3 Moments Which Suggest Labour MPs Are Panicking Amid Starmer's Uncertain Future

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.