By Sofiat Adenekan Adenekan
United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to remain in office despite growing calls from within the ruling Labour Party for his resignation, as internal divisions threaten to deepen the party’s leadership crisis.
Speaking during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Starmer insisted his focus remained on governing the country, even as pressure mounted from Labour lawmakers demanding either his immediate resignation or a clear timetable for his departure.
Reports indicate that no fewer than 80 Labour Members of Parliament have expressed dissatisfaction with the prime minister’s leadership, with many openly urging him to step aside amid concerns over the party’s direction and declining internal confidence.
Addressing ministers, Starmer stressed that no official leadership challenge had been triggered under Labour Party rules.
“The Labour Party has a process for challenging a leader and that has not been triggered,” he said.
“The country expects us to get on with governing. That is what I am doing and what we must do as a cabinet,” the prime minister added.
Starmer also appeared to challenge critics within the party to openly contest his leadership rather than engage in behind-the-scenes speculation.
The crisis escalated following the resignation of two junior ministers, fueling fears of a wider rebellion within government ranks.
Miatta Fahnbulleh became the first junior minister to resign, calling on Starmer to “do the right thing for the country and the party” by outlining an orderly leadership transition.
Shortly after, safeguarding minister Jess Phillips also stepped down, saying she no longer believed the government was delivering the level of change expected by both the public and party members.
Starmer, who has been in office for nearly two years, had earlier pledged to fight on and prove critics wrong. However, his assurances have done little to calm the growing unrest within Labour, with political observers warning that further resignations could intensify pressure on his leadership in the coming days.
