Labour mutiny grows as Keir Starmer is warned he has 'lost the country'

Two former Labour ministers have intensified pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign after the party’s devastating local election losses. Josh Simons, Labour MP for Makerfield, accused Starmer of losing the country and called for an orderly transition to a new leader, describing Labour as stuck in 'incrementalism' and failing to meet the moment. He warned the party is 'unequivocally judged' by voters and risks 'extinction' if it does not change course. Catherine West, another former minister, urged women in the Labour Party to challenge Starmer and modernize the party’s approach, criticizing its outdated communication and strained relationship with the Civil Service. Meanwhile, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson rejected calls for a leadership contest, acknowledging the party’s 'real kicking' from voters but emphasizing frustration over unfulfilled promises rather than internal power struggles. Starmer has vowed to stay in office for another eight years, framing his tenure as a '10-year project of renewal'. To stabilize the party, he has reinstated political veterans Gordon Brown and Harriet Harman into the government. The prime minister faces a critical test on Monday with a major speech, expected to outline plans to unwind Brexit—a key demand from many London MPs—as part of his strategy to regain voter trust. The party’s internal divisions deepened after Reform and the Greens gained significant ground in Labour’s traditional heartlands. West and Simons’ calls reflect growing dissent, with dozens of MPs demanding Starmer’s resignation. Phillipson, however, argued voters want policy delivery over leadership contests, highlighting their disappointment in Labour’s failure to deliver on promised change since the 2024 election.