Starmer latest: Four ministers quit as Labour MPs split over calls for PM to resign
Labour MPs established a new caucus Twelve Labour MPs have established a new caucus called Socialism26, describing it as “a programme for change inside the Labour Party”.Among the signatories are Poole MP Neil Duncan-Jordan, North Hertfordshire MP Chris Hinchliff, and Blackpool North and Fleetwood MP Lorraine Beavers.The group has called for the Government to drop proposals to reserve jury trials for the most serious cases, ease some of the Government’s powers to restrict protests, and support council house-building to halve waiting lists by 2029.“Now is the time for a clear vision of what we think a better life for ordinary people actually looks like,” the group said in a statement on Tuesday.“That means securing genuinely affordable and decent housing, meaningful work, and a comfortable balance between income and bills for everyone.“It also means caring about more than just GDP figures, but also a public realm to be proud of, an environment that isn’t a constant reminder of decline, and more space and time in our lives for the things that really matter – leisure, being with friends and family, art, culture and self-fulfilment.”Rebecca Whittaker12 May 2026 18:05Watch: Starmer is doing ‘great’ following make-or-break Cabinet meeting, says ministerStarmer is doing ‘great’ following make-or-break Cabinet meeting, says ministerRebecca Whittaker12 May 2026 18:00David Lammy has thrown his support for PM and warned of navel gazingDavid Lammy has warned that “navel-gazing” within Labour will benefit Nigel Farage and Reform UK as he reiterated his “full support” for Sir Keir Starmer and urged colleagues to “take a breath”.The Deputy Prime Minister told reporters outside Downing Street: “(The Prime Minister) was elected just under two years ago with a mandate from the British people for five years.“He has my full support, and what I say to colleagues is, look, let’s just step back. Take a breath.“Let’s remember that we have the King’s Speech. We are in Government to do a job of work. It’s been 24 hours now, and nobody has come forward to put themselves forward in the processes that exist in the party.“No one seems to have the names to stand up against Keir Starmer, and for those who are suggesting that he should stand down, they should say which candidate would be better.”He added: “I urge colleagues to step back and not benefit Nigel Farage and Reform.”Rebecca Whittaker12 May 2026 17:56Deputy prime minister urges MPs to back StarmerDeputy prime minister David Lammy has urged Labour MPs to back Keir Starmer. Walking out of 10 Downing Street he told Sky News: “No one seems to have the names to stand up against Keir Starmer.”He added that MPs should "step back, take a breath".Britain's Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy (AFP/Getty)Rebecca Whittaker12 May 2026 17:50Will there be a general election? Here’s how – and what could happen next if Starmer leaves officeSir Keir Starmer has insisted that he isn’t going anywhere and will fight any attempts by his own party to oust him from No 10 after more than 80 Labour MPs called for him to stand down.But history is littered with prime ministers who have not been able to choose the time of their departure, from Margaret Thatcher to, more recently, Liz Truss.Here we look at how the Labour leader could be forced out of Downing Street, ensuring the UK’s seventh prime minister in a decade.Read more here by Kate Devlin The Independent’s Whitehall Editor:Rebecca Whittaker12 May 2026 17:45Home Secretary will be 'cracking on with the job' and not resigning Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is not resigning from government a spokesperson has said. It comes after she asked Keir Starmer to set out a timeline for his departure, sparking suggestions she would resign.But after being asked if she was going to resign, the spokesman said: "No. She is cracking on with the job."Rebecca Whittaker12 May 2026 17:25The pound has weakened as as Starmer’s leadership comes under pressureUK long-term borrowing costs have surged to a fresh 28-year high and the pound weakened as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership comes under increasing pressure.The yield on 30-year UK government bonds – also known as gilts – jumped as much as 13 basis points to 5.807% in Tuesday morning trading, reaching the highest level since 1998 as Sir Keir faced increasing calls from within his own party to quit.It was around nine basis points higher at 5.76% when London’s markets closed.The yield on 10-year gilts also rose back above 5%, lifting by as much as 11 basis points to 5.11%, but remained below recent highs reported last month. It was 5.099% at the close of trading. Gilt yields move counter to the value of the bonds, meaning their prices fall when yields rise.Rising yields on these bonds mean it costs more for governments to borrow from financial markets.Rebecca Whittaker12 May 2026 17:20Watch: Labour MP calls for Starmer's resignation: 'He has managed not led the country'Labour MP calls for Starmer's resignation: 'He has managed not led the country'Rebecca Whittaker12 May 2026 17:15Starmer's government lacks 'values-driven leadership', minister says in resignation letterMillie Cooke, the Independent’s Political Correspondent reports:Zubir Ahmed, minister for health innovation and safety, became the fourth minister to quit the government, claiming it lacks "values-driven leadership at the centre".In yet another blow to the beleaguered prime minister, the MP - who was a minister in Wes Streeting's department - wrote: "As I raise my gaze above the daily work of ministerial life, it is clear to see that whatever the magnitude of individual achievements and progress, they are now being dwarfed and undermined by a lack of values-driven leadership at the centre."It is clear from recent days that the public across the UK has now irretrievably lost confidence in you as prime minister".(House of Commons)Rebecca Whittaker12 May 2026 17:00 US ambassador to London says 'frequent turnover' of prime ministers is a 'problem'The US ambassador to London, Warren Stephens, has said the “frequent turnover” of British prime ministers creates a “problem” for Washington DC in building personal ties.Asked if the instability of leadership change made it more difficult for the US to deal with the UK, Mr Stephens told LBC Radio: “I don’t really think so. I think the policies don’t really change that much so long as the party in power is still in power.“But certainly the ability to have personal relationships matters, and to the extent that there’s frequent turnover – that’s a problem.”He declined to say whether Donald Trump would be saddened if Sir Keir Starmer stood down, adding: “I’d be sad to see him go. I get along with him fine.“We don’t always agree, obviously, but, I like him, and I think he’s a very, very good and decent man.”Mr Stephens also said the special UK-US relationship “goes on regardless of who our political leaders are”.US Ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens (James Manning/PA) (PA Wire)Rebecca Whittaker12 May 2026 16:46
