Three junior ministers resigned Tuesday in protest at Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership, deepening pressure on him after Labour’s poor showing in last week’s local elections.
Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, housing and communities minister Miatta Fahnbulleh, and justice minister Alex Davies-Jones all quit.
Phillips, a prominent women’s rights campaigner, said in her resignation letter that Labour was failing to make its case and stalling progress. “I want a Labour government to work, but I’m not seeing the change I think I, and the country expect, and so cannot continue to serve as a minister under the current leadership,” she wrote.
More than 80 Labour lawmakers have publicly called on Starmer to set a timetable for his departure.
Starmer rejected calls to resign at a cabinet meeting, saying he took responsibility for the election defeat but would focus on governing. Defence minister John Healey and other loyalists voiced support for him.
Starmer has been prime minister for less than two years. No formal move to trigger a leadership contest has been made, but senior figures including health minister Wes Streeting are seen as potential challengers.
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