LABOUR plotters tonight gave PM Sir Keir Starmer an ultimatum to become more left-wing — or face certain mutiny.
dismissed growing calls from his own MPs to stand down after his historic local elections defeat triggered party bloodletting.
Sir Keir Starmer was given an ultimatum to become more left-wing — or face certain mutiny Credit: Getty
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He is expected to try to head off a leadership coup by watering down as part of yet another “reset”.
He refused to bow to demands to resign and instead declared: “I’m not going to walk away and plunge the country into chaos.”
Despite the nationwide thrashing, none of his leadership rivals are expected to wield the knife in the coming days.
But frontrunners , and had yesterday gone to ground without giving him their backing.
Several Labour figures did break ranks to urge to step aside — less than two years into his premiership.
His former Transport Secretary , who leads the party’s soft-left caucus, became the most senior MP to tell him to change course or risk a challenge.
She said: “I think what is abundantly clear is that unless the Government delivers significant and urgent change, then the Prime Minister cannot lead us into another election.”
At least ten MPs had tonight gone public with demands for Sir Keir to fall on his sword either now or if he fails to make alterations.
None of Starmer’s leadership rivals, including Rayner, are expected to wield the knife in the coming days Credit: Getty
Greater Manchester Mayor Mr Burnham is currently unable to run in any leadership contest as he needs to be an MP Credit: Getty
Dr Simon Opher said: “The public has spoken, I think we need to change our leader. If we go into the next election with him we will just get slaughtered.”
Veteran MP Jon Trickett said: “What I would say the message from my constituency is, is that it’s curtains for Keir.”
Fellow backbencher piled in: “Unless Keir Starmer and the central party want to destroy the Labour Party, he cannot fight the next election.”
Connor Naismith, the new MP for Crewe, said: “In the wake of these catastrophic local elections results, with regret, it is clear to me that we need new leadership.”
Labour-backing unions demanded an urgent meeting with Sir Keir after the “disastrous” results and demand a shift to the Left.
had said the party must “change or die” while warned of “political oblivion” and said: “There’ll clearly be a change of Labour leader sooner or later.”
Sir Keir faced the nation yesterday after results began coming in, defiant he will lead the party into the next general election.
He said: “These are tough results. But tough days like this, they don’t weaken my resolve to deliver the change that I promised at the general election, they strengthen my resolve to do so.”
But he admitted he had made “unnecessary mistakes” by doom-mongering about the Tory legacy rather than offering “hope”.
He has plunged to historically unpopular levels after 21 months of U-turns, sleaze scandals and policy disasters. Sir Keir said he will set out a plan “in the coming days” to “deliver the change” voters want.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has told Sir Keir he should plan his resignation in order to avoid chaos Credit: SelwynPics
Louise Haigh, who leads the party’s soft-left caucus, became the most senior MP to tell him to change course or risk a challenge Credit: Getty
He will try to use Wednesday’s King’s Speech to get on the front foot with a jam-packed legislative agenda that appeases party rebels.
He is also expected to signal closer ties with the in a bid to win left-wing voters.
And there are fears he could dump elements of crackdown amid squeamishness from some MPs.
Yet there is doubt among even allies of his that he will be able to survive in the short-term.
Within weeks he will be forced to publish tens of thousands of texts between and senior officials that could upend his premiership.
Dethroning a Labour leader is notoriously tricky and requires 81 MPs to publicly call for a change.
It would then be up to party members to decide if he stays or goes, with Sir Keir making clear he would fight any contest.
Energy Secretary has told Sir Keir he should plan his resignation in order to avoid chaos.
But both Ms Rayner and Mr Burnham were dealt a blow as made major gains in their Manchester backyard.
Nigel Farage’s strong showing cost Labour its majority on Tameside council where the former Deputy PM is an MP.
Greater Manchester Mayor Mr Burnham is currently unable to run in any leadership contest as he needs to be an MP.
There is speculation a local Manchester MP could be willing to stand down to let him return to , although he still faces being blocked by .
has also still failed to straighten out her tax affairs with after resigning over a stamp duty scandal.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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