Starmer on the brink: UK PM fights for survival as party takes beating in local elections

close Video UK prime minister discusses war with Iran UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer provided an update Sunday on the situation in the Middle East prior to the Cyprus strikes. (Credit: @Keir_Starmer via X) NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Hören Sie sich diesen Artikel an 3 Min U.K. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was battling to save his position Monday, refusing to step aside despite mounting pressure from within his own party and a wave of resignations among close aides. Resignation calls intensified after more than 70 Labor MPs publicly urged the Labor leader to quit, while several parliamentary aides stepped down in protest, according to reports. The growing rebellion comes at a critical moment for Starmer, whose authority has been shaken by political and economic setbacks. As previously reported by Fox News Digital, the immediate trigger was the crushing defeats in local election results on May 8, which saw Labor lose hundreds of council seats across England, surrender long-held ground in Wales and fall behind rivals in Scotland. FARAGE'S Reform UK BEATS OUT ESTABLISHMENT PARTIES IN 'EARTHQUAKE' ELECTIONS Sir Keir Starmer is battling to save his position and refusing to step aside despite dozens of Labor MPs demanding he resigns. (Leon Neal/Getty Images) A recent YouGov poll also found that around half of Britons believe Starmer should step down. At the same time, rising U.K. borrowing costs have added to concerns about the government’s economic and public service policies and not easing living costs. Starmer was also hurt by his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson, a friend of Jeffrey Epstein, as Britain’s ambassador to Washington, the Associated Press reported. In Scotland, Labor's difficulties were laid bare as John Swinney secured a decisive victory, dealing a further blow to Starmer’s authority. LONDON POLICE LAUNCH CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION INTO FORMER UK AMBASSADOR TO US WITH ALLEGED EPSTEIN TIES President Donald Trump met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Trump Turnberry golf club in Scotland on July 28, 2025. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) The result drew attention from President Donald Trump, who publicly congratulated Swinney and appeared to take a swipe at Starmer. Trump and Starmer’s relationship had become strained, with the president saying, "This is not Winston Churchill that we’re dealing with," blasting the U.K. leader’s reluctance to let U.S. warplanes use its bases after the start of the war against Iran. Meanwhile, Starmer struck a defiant tone in what has been termed a "reset" speech on Monday, insisting he would not resign. "I take responsibility for not walking away, not plunging our country into chaos, as the Tories did," he said. Sam Carlin, one of the MPs calling for change, said Starmer was "not the right person" to revive the struggling party. "As a result, I join Labor colleagues from across the United Kingdom in urging the prime minister to step down for the sake of our movement and the people we serve," he said. UK PRIME MINISTER LAYS OUT UKRAINE PEACE DEAL FRAMEWORK AS ZELENSKYY RESPONDS TO RESIGNATION CALLS Starmer struck a defiant tone in what has been termed a "reset" speech where he insisted he would not resign. (Carl Court/Getty Images) "We have made so much progress, but if we remain on our current course, it will not last." Former minister Catherine West led efforts to formalize the challenge, calling for a timetable to elect a new leader as early as September. Three figures are seen as frontrunners to succeed Starmer. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham would need to return to Parliament to mount a bid, while Angela Rayner continues to contend with the fallout from past tax issues. Health Secretary Wes Streeting is viewed as a more immediate contender. Under Labor rules, a leadership contest can be triggered if sufficient backing coalesces behind a challenger, typically through nominations from MPs and affiliated groups. If Starmer were to resign, the party would move into a formal contest period, culminating in a vote among members. Emma Bussey is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital. Before joining Fox, she worked at The Telegraph with the U.S. overnight team, across desks including foreign, politics, news, sport and culture. Fox News' Antisemitism Exposed" newsletter brings you stories on the rising anti-Jewish prejudice across the U.S. and the world." By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!