Four Ministers Quit as Labour MPs Push Starmer Out
Four ministers quit the UK Labour government on Tuesday. This triggered a leadership crisis for Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Nearly 90 Labour MPs have called for Starmer to resign. That number is enough to formally start a leadership contest.
But the MPs have not yet agreed on a single replacement. The resignations followed Labour's poor results in local elections last week.
Still 110 Labour MPs signed a statement backing Starmer. Starmer says his resignation would cause chaos for the country.
The Financial Times reported he also challenged rivals to launch formal leadership bids. Starmer is set to meet Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Wednesday.
Klear Note — UK Prime Ministers lead the government and can be removed if enough MPs vote against them. Labour is the UK's main left-wing political party. Local elections test how popular the government is with voters.
Key Terms 3
- leadership contest A vote among party members to choose a new party leader
- Wes Streeting UK Health Secretary and senior Labour government minister
- local elections Votes held across UK towns and cities to choose local leaders