London, May 12, 2026 – The Europe Today: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly “weighing up his options” ahead of a crucial cabinet meeting as growing numbers of senior government figures and Labour MPs call on him to announce a timetable for his departure.
According to reports, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is among cabinet members urging the prime minister to outline an exit plan, with political pressure intensifying following Labour’s heavy losses in recent local elections.
Sky News political editor Beth Rigby reported that some cabinet ministers believe “the game is up” for Sir Keir, although several close allies continue to support him remaining in office. Housing Secretary Steve Reed and Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden have reportedly encouraged the prime minister to continue fighting for his leadership.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Defence Secretary John Healey were understood to have met Starmer at Downing Street on Monday evening. Reports suggest Cooper stopped short of backing calls for an immediate departure timeline.
Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasury Jonathan Reynolds are said to be working closely with Starmer as discussions continue over his political future.
The growing unrest follows the resignation of four junior government members on Monday, bringing the number of Labour MPs publicly calling for Starmer’s resignation to 73.
The political crisis comes in the aftermath of Labour’s poor performance in last week’s local elections, where the party lost nearly 1,500 council seats across England while Reform UK made substantial gains for the second consecutive year.
In Wales, Plaid Cymru emerged as the largest party in the Senedd for the first time after fending off competition from Reform UK. In Scotland, the Scottish National Party remained the largest party despite suffering electoral losses.
Among those resigning were Joe Morris, parliamentary private secretary to Health Secretary Wes Streeting, and Tom Rutland, aide to Environment Secretary Emma Reynolds. Cabinet Office aide Naushabah Khan and Melanie Ward, parliamentary private secretary to Lammy, also stepped down while calling for new leadership.
Downing Street later announced replacements for the departing aides as part of a broader reshuffle of ministerial support roles.
In a speech on Monday, Starmer insisted he would not “walk away” and vowed to prove his “doubters” wrong. However, the address reportedly failed to calm growing dissatisfaction within Labour ranks.
Former Foreign Office minister Catherine West has led efforts urging Starmer to set a resignation timetable by September. West had earlier indicated she was prepared to challenge him for the party leadership.
During his news conference, Starmer unveiled several policy initiatives, including proposed legislation to nationalise British Steel, plans to ban “far-right agitators” from entering the UK ahead of a planned march, and proposals aimed at placing Britain “at the heart of Europe.”
The prime minister warned that Britain faced “a battle for the soul” of the country, cautioning that failure by Labour could lead the nation down “a very dark path.”
