Starmer newest: Cabinet ministers rally round PM after Scottish Labour chief requires his resignation | EUROtoday

Angela Rayner has come out in “full support” of Keir Starmer regardless of hypothesis that she may attempt to launch a management marketing campaign in opposition to the prime minister.

“The recent scandal around Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein was shocking – and demands that both this government and our party learn the lessons, and act on them,” she mentioned in a publish to social media on Monday.

“But the worst possible response would be to play party politics or factional games. Labour is only getting started on changing things for the better – our Employment Rights Act, renters’ rights, leasehold reform, free school meals and lifting kids out of poverty.

“I urge all my colleagues to come together, remember our values and put them into practice as a team. The Prime Minister has my full support in leading us to that end.”

Labour MP Karl Turner instructed Times Radio that Anas Sawar has “bottled it” by calling for Keir Starmer to step apart.

Speaking to Jo Coburn, he mentioned: “I think Keir Starmer is unpopular in the country and the Labour government are unpopular in the country and I think Anas has bottled it and decided to call for the PM to go on the basis that it might improve Scottish Labour’s chances of forming a government there.

“But I think it’s a mistake, I think it’s unfair and frankly I think it’s disloyal.”

The MP instructed individuals to “calm it down” and get behind Starmer.

“What on earth are people doing, panicking, saying the PM ought to be gone for? He’s made a mistake, that’s all he’s done. He’s made too many mistakes, that’s true, but he needs the opportunity to recover from the mistakes he’s made.”

The Independent’s Whitehall Editor Kate Devlin:

The work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden mentioned he hoped Sir Keir remained in publish as cupboard ministers belatedly got here out in assist of him.

After hours of silence, Sir Keir’s prime staff lastly started to remark simply because the Scottish Labour chief Anas Sarwar known as on him to give up.

Mr McFadden mentioned: “As someone said to me in the constituency on Friday ‘tell your boss to keep going’. I did and I hope he does.”

The overseas secretary Yvette Cooper has additionally backed him, saying: “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.”

Health secretary Wes Streeting told Sky’s Electoral Dysfunction podcast: “Keir Starmer doesn’t need to resign” and “give Keir a chance”.

The defence secretary John Healey said Sir Keir Starmer had his “fullest support”.

While housing secretary Steve Reed wrote: “Keir led our party to victory and won a mandate for change. Waiting lists are falling, wages are rising, new rights for renters and leaseholders. We need to stay the course and deliver the change this country voted for.”

Scotland secretary Douglas Alexander has sided with Starmer as he says the prime minister has recognised that “lessons have to be learned but also that we change how we do Government”.

In a post on social media, he said: “Anas has reached his own decision and I respect that. My job – as Anas acknowledged today – is to make sure Scotland’s voice is heard in Cabinet.

“My focus remains on doing that. The Prime Minister has recognised not just that lessons have to be learned but also that we change how we do Government.

“He is right about that and has my support. Like all Labour MPs we want the Labour Government to be the government that the people of this country hoped for when they rejected the Tories. That is where all of my energies are and will remained focused.”

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 environment was “febrile” however mentioned “Keir Starmer doesn’t need to resign.”

He added: “It has not been the perfect week for the federal government”.

It comes as speculation has intensified that the health secretary was plotting to bring down Starmer.

Mr Streeting has repeatedly denied these claims.

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.”