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Starmer vows to stay on despite pressure after election losses
UK Prime minister calls government a long-term project amid leadership challenge
File picture: Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria Starmer leave a polling station after voting during local elections in London, Britain, May 7, 2026. REUTERS
London: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he would remain in office, describing his government as a “10-year project,” despite growing calls for him to step down following heavy losses in local elections.
Starmer’s Labour Party suffered its worst local election performance for a governing party in more than 30 years, while the Reform UK party made significant gains, prompting increasing pressure from within Labour for a leadership change.
Former minister Catherine West warned she could seek support to trigger a leadership contest unless action is taken by Starmer’s cabinet. Under party rules, 20 percent of Labour lawmakers would be needed to initiate such a challenge, with around 30 members already publicly opposing his leadership.
In an interview with the Observer, Starmer confirmed he intends to lead the party into the next general election and serve a full term, saying he would not “walk away” or “plunge the country into chaos.”
Despite the election setback, his cabinet has largely remained supportive. Education minister Bridget Phillipson said Starmer would outline a “fresh direction” in a speech scheduled for Monday, acknowledging that the party had received a “real kicking” from voters.
West said she would wait for the speech before deciding whether to move forward with a leadership challenge. However, some left-wing Labour lawmakers warned against launching an early contest, cautioning it could create division within the party.
Starmer is required to call the next general election by 2029. If he remains in office for a full second term, he would become one of the longest-serving British leaders in recent history.