Starmer to face split cabinet as demands for his resignation mount

The UK prime minister is so far defiant in the face of calls for him to step down.British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is set to face his cabinet as more than 80 Labour MPs have called for him to resign, following the party’s devastating local elections losses last week.The cabinet is said to be divided on whether he should remain on and will meet on Tuesday. Starmer’s chief secretary, MP Darren Jones, told Sky News the prime minister was talking to colleagues but “was very clear yesterday that he will not be walking away”.Recommended Stories list of 2 itemslist 1 of 2Roads blocked in Bolivia as protesters demand president’s resignationlist 2 of 2US moves to release more oil stockpiles under IEA agreementend of listHome Secretary Shabana Mahmood is understood to have told the prime minister to oversee the transition of power, according to reporting in UK news outlets, amid a deluge of similar statements from parliamentarians, and six ministerial aides quitting on Monday. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Defence Secretary John Healey also met with Starmer yesterday.In a speech on Monday, Starmer took responsibility for the “very tough” election results, but said Labour would “never be forgiven for inflicting” the “chaos of constantly changing leaders”, as seen under the Conservatives, on the country again.The local elections last Thursday resulted in Labour losing more than 1,400 seats and losing power in Wales, with Reform and the Greens making gains.A leadership contest requires the endorsement of 81 Labour MPs, 20 percent of the party in the Commons.Potential challengers to Starmer include Health Secretary Wes Streeting, former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.However, Rayner’s ability to run is hampered until an investigation into her tax affairs is resolved. She resigned in 2025 after admitting she had underpaid stamp duty on a flat, which she said was the result of improper legal advice.