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Labour MP Catherine West has voiced serious concerns about the current leadership of Sir Keir Starmer, emphasizing the need for swift action. Although she would prefer a Cabinet member to take the reins, West has not ruled out standing herself to prompt a leadership contest if no alternative candidate steps forward. Speaking with BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, West indicated she would assess Sir Keir’s upcoming relaunch speech on Monday before deciding whether to proceed, stating, “We have a problem and we need to move quickly.”
In contrast, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson expressed a differing view, addressing West directly by saying, “I love you dearly Catherine, but we just disagree on this one.” While acknowledging Labour’s significant losses in recent elections—including the loss of nearly 1,500 councillors in England, being ousted from power in Wales, and falling to joint second place in Scotland—Phillipson asserted that infighting within the party is not the answer. She highlighted the need for clearer messaging and faster delivery of promises to voters, emphasizing that the party should focus on unity rather than internal disputes.
West, who previously served as a junior minister, clarified that she is not aiming to become Labour leader but wants to trigger a contest that might bring forward stronger leadership contenders. For this to happen, she needs the support of 20% of Labour MPs—81 in total. Currently, she claims to have backing from around 10 MPs. More than 30 Labour MPs have publicly called for Sir Keir’s resignation or for him to set a timetable for departure. West explained her next steps by saying, “I will hear what the prime minister’s got to say tomorrow and, then if I’m still dissatisfied, I will put out my email to the Parliamentary Labour Party, asking for names… The reason I’m doing that is not for me. It’s for working people, because Labour is the only party that can beat Reform.”
Meanwhile, the political climate remains tense as Labour grapples with the rise of Reform UK, which has made substantial gains in the recent local elections. Phillipson described this as a “perilous moment” for the country, stressing that only Labour can unite the nation. Sir Keir is expected to outline a new vision for his leadership in a major speech on Monday, shortly before the King’s Speech, which will set the government’s legislative agenda. Phillipson reaffirmed her confidence that Sir Keir will lead Labour into the next general election, scheduled no later than 2029. However, union leader Sharon Graham expressed skepticism about his future at the helm, and Nadine Dorries, a former Conservative now with Reform UK, called Sir Keir an “asset” to her new party but urged Labour to change leadership for the country’s sake
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