British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is dealing with a serious leadership crisis following crushing losses in municipal and regional elections. Starmer has informed his cabinet that he plans to "get on with governing" and would not resign in spite of calls for his resignation.
Several ministerial assistants and at least four junior ministers have resigned in protest as of now.
The public no longer believes Starmer can lead, according to Miatta Fahnbulleh (Housing), who was the first to resign. Shortly after, Jess Phillips (Safeguarding) resigned, stating that Starmer's status as a "good man" was insufficient.
As pressure increased, Zubir Ahmed, parliamentary under-secretary of state in the Department of Health and Social Care and Alex Davies-Jones, parliamentary under-secretary of state for victims minister, both resigned.
Following a "catastrophic" showing in local elections, a number of British Labour MPs and ministers are leaving in an effort to put pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign.
The Labour Party's "hammering" in the May 2026 municipal, Scottish, and Welsh elections—they lost almost 1,500 council seats—is the main cause behind the calls for Starmer to quit.
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Melanie Ward and other resigning MPs contend that the Prime Minister lacks the "trust and confidence of the public" necessary to implement the improvements that have been promised.
According to reports, Starmer's May 11 speech to strengthen his position "backfired," failing to appease party insiders and causing a spike in ministerial aide resignations.
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Ministers like Jess Phillips and Miatta Fahnbulleh resigned, citing a lack of "bold, radical action" and a perceived inability to offer a clear vision for the nation.
As of now, more than 80 Labour MPs have openly demanded that Starmer step down or provide a timeline for his resignation, and at least three ministers and a number of senior advisers have resigned.
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