British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, facing mounting pressure to resign, is meeting with Health Secretary and potential challenger Wes Streeting on Wednesday ahead of the King’s speech.
This meeting comes after four ministers resigned from Starmer’s cabinet, calling on the prime minister to step down to ensure a smooth transition of power. These calls for his resignation have grown louder within the ruling Labour Party following the disastrous results of the local elections.
Streeting is seen as a likely candidate to succeed Starmer in the current situation. Meanwhile, more than 90 Labour MPs have unanimously called for Starmer to resign, but he has so far refused.
During a cabinet meeting Tuesday, Starmer said, “The country expects us to get on with governing. That is what I am doing and what we must do as a cabinet.”
He added, “As I said yesterday, I take responsibility for these election results, and I take responsibility for delivering the change we promised. The past 48 hours have been destabilizing for government, and that has a real economic cost for our country and for families.”
Streeting met with Starmer to discuss the government and leadership issues that have emerged following the election setback. However, he has shied away from initiating a leadership challenge.
But if Streeting does decide to formally challenge the leadership, he is likely to secure the required 80 votes, amid growing pressure from within the party for Starmer to resign. (EIR)
