Labour MP John McDonnell, a former shadow chancellor, has accused Health Secretary Wes Streeting of plotting to remove Starmer.
“I called for time for serious discussion, no precipitous coup & fully democratic process if leadership election [is called],” McDonnell wrote on X.
“Instead Wes Streeting has launched [a] coup for fear of a democratic process & whilst candidates are blocked. Handing leadership to [Peter] Mandelson’s protege is gift to Reform,” he added.
I called for time for serious discussion, no precipitous coup & fully democratic process if leadership election.Instead Wes Streeting has launched coup for fear of a democratic process & whilst candidates are blocked. Handing leadership to Mandelson’s protege is gift to Reform
— John McDonnell (@johnmcdonnellMP)May 12, 2026
Starmer has told top ministers that he is not resigning despite calls for him to do so.
“As I said yesterday, I take responsibility for these election results, and I take responsibility for delivering the change we promised,” he said at this morning’s cabinet meeting, according to Number 10.
“The past 48 hours have been destabilising for government, and that has a real economic cost for our country and for families. The Labour Party has a process for challenging a leader, and that has not been triggered.
“The country expects us to get on with governing. That is what I am doing and what we must do as a cabinet,” he added.
A junior minister in the housing and communities department,Miatta Fahnbulleh, has resigned from the government, calling on Starmer to “do the right thing for the country” and set out a timetable for an “orderly transition”.
“Our country faces enormous challenges, and people are crying out for the scale of change this requires. The public does not believe that you can lead this change – and nor do I,” Fahnbulleh said in a statement posted on X.
Fahnbulleh became an MP in 2024.
This morning I sent my letter of resignation to the Prime Minister.
I urge the Prime Minister to do the right thing for the country and the Party and set a timetable for an orderly transition.pic.twitter.com/u5UArjv7uR
— Miatta Fahnbulleh (@Miatsf)May 12, 2026
Amid calls for his resignation, Starmer is meeting his top ministers for talks.
The calls come after the Labour Party suffered one of its worst election defeats in last week’s local elections.
On Monday during his “make-or-break” speech, Starmer promised to stay the course and said succumbing to calls to resign would bring chaos. However, his speech fell on deaf ears as at least 72 lawmakers have now called for him to step down or set out a timetable for his departure.
British media have also reported that several cabinet ministers, including Home Office Minister Shabana Mahmood, told Starmer he should consider complying with those demands.
The cabinet began meeting at 9:30am (08:30 GMT).
