Keir Starmer LIVE: PM clings to power as SNP plot new vote

Sir Keir Starmer has been under huge pressure to quit as Prime Minister and outline a timetable for a transition to another leader. At the latest count, some 75 of Labour’s 403 MPs have called for Sir Keir to resign.

The embattled PM has vowed to continue, telling members of his top team that the country expects them to "get on with governing". If he goes, voters will not be the ones to decide who leads the country. Labour MPs would choose who leads their party and, ultimately, the UK in the event of a leadership contest.

While Sir Keir's supporters insist he should continue to lead the party and country, Labour's opponents are calling for a complete change in which party governs. The next general election isn't due until 2029.

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The SNP will attempt to force a vote on Sir Keir Starmer’s future with an amendment to the King’s Speech, the party has announced.

New SNP Westminster leader Dave Doogan said the “leadership circus can’t go on any longer” as he seeks to force Labour MPs to stake a position on the Prime Minister’s job if he does not resign himself.

“This farce has to end now so Parliament can focus on the issues that really matter,” Mr Doogan said.

“It’s clear the only way that can happen is for Keir Starmer to go.

“He has lost the confidence of voters and his own MPs, and there’s no coming back from that.

“The Labour Party must stop dragging this crisis out and put an end to it now.

“If the Labour Cabinet ministers don’t have the decency to do the right thing – then Parliament must.

“Unless they put an end to this chaos now, the SNP will table a motion of no confidence in Keir Starmer to draw things to a close.”

Rachel Reeves looked relaxed as she left Number 10.The Chancellor, clad in a pink trouser suit, did not say anything and just turned left to walk down Downing Street as journalists shouted questions.

Wes Streeting has left Number 10 after a meeting with the Prime Minister.

The Health Secretary was inside for less than 20 minutes.

Mr Streeting did not respond to questions from journalists as he walked back down Downing Street.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting did not respond to journalists shouting questions as he walked along Downing Street and entered Number 10.

Sir Keir Starmer has been put on notice by trade union barons who have told him to step aside before the next general election, in a statement seen by the Daily Express.

Powerful backers of the Labour Party, the militant trade unionists have issued a statement saying that it is clear "Labour cannot continue on its current path."

They added: "It’s clear that the Prime Minister will not lead Labour into the next election, and at some stage a plan will have to be put in place for the election of a new Leader."

Guardian political editor Pippa Crerar, posting on X, said: "Keir Starmer will not lead his party into the next general election, Labour-supporting unions have predicted, in an intervention that threatens to further destabilise PM after damaging few days.

"The 11 Labour-affiliated unions – including Unite, Unison and GMB – are expected to issue joint statement today saying “at some stage” party will have to put plan in place to elect new leader.

"In leaked copy, they said it was clear Labour “cannot continue on its current path”, and despite some progress it was not doing enough to deliver change people voted for at last election."

Reports suggest the Health Secretary was backing down from launching an immediate leadership bid.

The Prime Minister will meet Health Secretary Wes Streeting, one of his key rivals for the Labour leadership, after a tumultuous few days in which four ministers resigned and at least 80 MPs called for him to quit.

Sir Keir Starmer managed to cling on to power in Number 10 and see off an immediate threat to his leadership, with reports suggesting the front runners to succeed him lack the numbers to launch a challenge.

On Wednesday, he will meet Mr Streeting, seen as one of the key challengers to his leadership from the right of the party, ahead of the King’s Speech.

Sir Keir was rocked by the resignation of four junior ministers, including Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips and Devolution Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh.

These departures were accompanied by Alex Davies-Jones and Zubir Ahmed, all of whom urged the Prime Minister to establish a clear timetable for a leadership transition following heavy local election losses.

Despite this internal revolt and reports of private pressure from senior cabinet members, Sir Keir told his remaining frontbenchers during a morning meeting that he has no intention of stepping down.

While high-profile figures like David Lammy and Peter Kyle have publicly rallied around the PM, the wave of resignations has intensified a burgeoning Labour party crisis that now sees over 80 MPs calling for a change at the top.

The PM has his back to the wall after Labour's poll ratings have collapsed with senior party figures openly question his leadership.

Sir Keir also faces mounting criticism over rising immigration numbers, lengthy NHS waiting lists, and broken pledges on economic growth.

Last week's local election results saw heavy losses in traditional Labour strongholds, accelerating calls for a change at the top.

With multiple Cabinet ministers positioning themselves as potential successors, Sir Keir is now battling to stabilise his authority before a full leadership challenge materialises.

King Charles III will deliver Labour’s legislative agenda on Wednesday — but the ceremony will be overshadowed by growing questions over whether Keir Starmer can survive to implement it.

The King’s Speech comes after brutal local election losses for Labour and rising unrest among Mr Starmer’s own MPs.

A fightback speech on Monday was branded “tone deaf” by critics, while the resignation of safeguarding minister Jess Phillips added to the pressure on Downing Street.

With several policies already announced before, doubters are questioning whether Mr Starmer still has the authority to push his agenda through Parliament.

Sir Keir Starmer will attend showdown talks with his Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, amid mounting concerns he could be challenged for the leadership.

The meeting comes as more than eighty MPs called for the Prime Minister to go, and Sir Keir attempts to fend off rumours he will be forced to step aside. Last night, Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Manchester, was said to be holding talks with allies ahead of a potential leadership pitch.