Starmer latest: PM must resign, Scottish Labour leader says as pressure piles on No 10
The major intervention from Anas Sarwar, a Starmer ally, could be the tipping point for his premiership, as David Lammy and Rachel Reeves come out in support of the PM
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has piled further pressure on Keir Starmer after calling on him to resign as prime minister.
The major intervention came on Monday at a press conference arranged by the Scottish leader, a Starmer ally, in Glasgow. Welsh Labour leader Eluned Morgan is also expected to call on Sir Keir to quit later today.
The beleaguered prime minister was already fighting for survival after losing his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney over the crisis at the weekend. His director of communications Tim Allan quit on Monday, less than 24 hours later.
Labour MPs are also preparing to confront the PM at a showdown meeting of the parliamentary Labour Party at 6pm.
But with elections in Scotland and Wales in May, and with Labour trailing in the polls, the loyal Mr Sarwar has dealt what could be a fatal blow. He is the most senior Labour politician to call for Sir Keir to go.
Downing Street insisted Sir Keir Starmer would not quit following Anas Sarwar’s call for him to resign, with a spokesman saying: “He has a clear five-year mandate from the British people to deliver change, and that is what he will do.”
Deputy prime minister David Lammy, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, and various other ministers have come out in support for Sir Keir to stay.
'Not the time for the government to turn inward on itself', says Miliband
Keir has earned the right to deliver the change he has promised and do what he cares about - which is to serve the country.
— Ed Miliband (@Ed_Miliband) February 9, 2026
This is not the time for the government to turn inwards on itself. We must focus on delivering the change we promised the country.
Streeting: 'Give Keir a chance'
Health secretary Wes Streeting has responded to calls for Keir Starmer’s resignation, saying: “Give Keir a chance”.
Speaking to the Sky News Electoral Dysfunction podcast, Mr Streeting acknowledged the atmosphere was "febrile" but said "Keir Starmer doesn't need to resign.”
He added: "It has not been the best week for the government".
It comes as speculation has intensified that the health secretary was plotting to bring down Starmer.
Mr Streeting has repeatedly denied these claims.
Pat McFadden latest to throw support behind PM
As someone said to me in the constituency on Friday "tell your boss to keep going."
— Pat McFadden (@patmcfaddenmp) February 9, 2026
I did and I hope he does. 🌹
Foreign secretary says Starmer will still be prime minister by weekend
Later this week, Keir Starmer will lead our delegation to the Munich Security Conference. At this crucial time for the world, we need his leadership not just at home but on the global stage, and we need to keep our focus where it matters, on keeping our country safe.
— Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) February 9, 2026
Analysis: Anas Sarwar may have spared Wes Streeting the role of Brutus
Analysis by Political Editor David Maddox:
The old adage that the person who wields the knife never gets the crown has often been true in UK politics. Just ask Michael Heseltine.
There is now speculation among MPs that Anas Sarwar has done a favour for the ambitious health secretary Wes Streeting.
The Scottish Labour leader is believed to be close to Streeting with most Scottish MPs supportive of a Streeting leadership bid.
Mr Streeting though could not afford to deliver the blow that finished Starmer if he wanted to be leader.
So why not ask an ally with authority in the party who would not be in a leadership contest to do it for him?
One Labour MP suggested: “Anas has done Wes a solid.”
Lammy and Reeves back rally behind Starmer as calls for him to quit mount
David Lammy has said Keir Starmer will not be resigning.
As he walked in to Downing Street on Monday, he was asked whether Starmer would respond to calls for him to quit.
In reply, he said: "We've waited 14 years to get here, no."
Chancellor Rachel Reeves also rallied behind Starmer, saying: “With Keir as our prime minister we are turning the country around.”
No 10 has had 'too many mistakes', Sarwar says
Anas Sarwar said there have been "too many mistakes" in Downing Street and Keir Starmer can not continue his leadership.
Speaking to a press conference on Monday, he said: "We have an SNP government that is addicted to secrecy and cover ups with devastating consequences.
"That's why I have to be honest about failure wherever I see it. The situation in Downing Street is not good enough. There have been too many mistakes.
"They promised they were going to be different, but too much has happened. Have there been good things? Of course, there have, many of them, but no one knows them and no one can hear them because they're being drowned out.
"That's why it cannot continue."
Watch: Scottish Labour Party Leader Anas Sarwar Calls On Keir Starmer To Resign
No 10 says Starmer won't resign despite Sarwar's calls
Downing Street insisted Sir Keir Starmer would not quit following Anas Sarwar’s call for him to resign, with a spokesman saying: “He has a clear five-year mandate from the British people to deliver change, and that is what he will do.”
Anas Sarwar said he spoke to Sir Keir Starmer before giving his statement this afternoon, but said: "It is safe to say that he and I disagreed".
Sarwar not endorsing any candidate to replace Starmer
Anas Sarwar said he was not endorsing any candidate to replace Keir Starmer as he calls for the prime minister to resign.
The Scottish Labour leader told the press conference: "Let me be really clear, I am not supporting or backing any alternative or any candidate.
"This is not about MPs versus MSPs, this is about what is right for Scotland and it is for the UK Cabinet, it is for Downing Street, it is for the UK Labour Party to decide any process, any timeline and what comes next."
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