Overview
- Starmer told his Cabinet he would not resign after Tuesday’s bruising meeting, saying rivals must trigger Labour’s formal process, which requires 81 MP nominations.
- Roughly 80 to 90 Labour MPs have publicly urged him to go, four ministers have quit, and Starmer says he accepts responsibility for the local election losses but will keep governing.
- Health Secretary Wes Streeting met Starmer for crisis talks and is reported to be preparing to resign to help force a contest, though he has not announced a bid or quit.
- Unions that fund and organize Labour said it is clear Starmer will not lead the party into the next election and called for a plan for a new leader, as the King’s Speech set out the government’s agenda and the SNP signaled a no‑confidence move.
- Reform UK’s big local gains face new scrutiny as several newly elected councillors were accused of racist, anti‑Muslim and Holocaust‑denying posts, with cases leading to investigations, suspensions and at least one resignation and expulsion.