London politics LIVE: Starmer 'deciding' whether to quit as PM as he faces Cabinet showdown

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under intense pressure to resign after 75 Labour MPs called for his departure following the party’s electoral losses last week. The crisis escalated as four government aides quit, citing a loss of confidence in his leadership, while Cabinet members reportedly discussed triggering a leadership contest. Health Minister Stephen Kinnock hinted some ministers may formally demand Starmer’s resignation at a Tuesday meeting. Starmer is scheduled to address the nation at 10am, promising ‘bolder action’ and a closer relationship with the EU. Extracts from his speech suggest he will argue ‘incremental change won’t cut it,’ framing the moment as requiring urgent reforms in growth, defense, and energy. However, backbench MP Catherine West warned she may launch a leadership challenge if his speech fails to convince her of a clear plan to improve public lives. Union leaders, including Fire Brigades Union boss Steve Wright, compared the government’s decline to ‘a slow car crash,’ urging a structured leadership transition. Wright called for an evaluation of Labour’s past failures and a new leader capable of delivering on 2022 election promises. Meanwhile, potential rival Angela Rayner will speak at a CWU conference at 12:30pm, and Labour’s centre-left Mainstream group will hold an online meeting at 6pm to discuss the fallout. Business Secretary Peter Kyle cautioned against repeating the Conservatives’ leadership chaos, emphasizing the need for a disciplined process. The pressure comes as Starmer faces accusations of weak communication, with critics like Milton Keynes MP Chris Curtis demanding a response proportional to the ‘devastating’ election results. The coming hours will determine whether Starmer can stabilize his position or if Labour’s leadership crisis deepens.