London politics LIVE: Starmer faces crunch Cabinet meeting after Shabana Mahmood 'tells him to go' amid huge Labour mutiny

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is under intense pressure ahead of an extraordinary Cabinet meeting, where senior ministers are expected to push for his resignation following Labour’s disastrous electoral performance. Over 75 Labour MPs, including five Parliamentary Private Secretaries, have publicly called for Starmer to step down, with Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood reportedly advising him to consider an orderly transition. The crisis escalated as four government aides resigned, citing a collapse in confidence in Starmer’s leadership. Melanie Ward, a Parliamentary Private Secretary to Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, quit and accused the PM of losing public trust, citing voter anger over policy mistakes and moral issues like Gaza. She described the election result in Scotland as ‘extremely disappointing’ and argued Labour must now deliver meaningful change. Junior Health Minister Stephen Kinnock suggested some Cabinet members may demand Starmer’s removal at Tuesday’s meeting, reflecting deep divisions within the party. Labour MP Mary Kelly Foy described the situation as an ‘existential crisis,’ while loyalist Preet Kaur Gill urged MPs to ‘calm down’ and focus on the upcoming King’s Speech. The pressure comes after Labour suffered heavy losses in local elections, with critics blaming Starmer’s leadership for failing to connect with voters. MPs like Florence Eshalomi have expressed frustration, while resignations and public calls for his departure signal a growing revolt within the party’s ranks.