LIVE: Third minister quits over Keir Starmer’s leadership

by David Wilcock, Deputy Political Editor

King Charles is set to arrive with full regal pomp and ceremony for the State Opening of Parliament tomorrow – and deliver a pointless address written by a zombie Prime Minister on the cusp of being kicked from office.

The monarch is due to deliver the King’s Speech amid major turmoil in Westminster, with the PM facing a mounting mutiny that has led more than 80 MPs to demand he quit.

The speech is traditionally written for the head of state by the government of the day to outline its policy programme for the coming parliamentary session.

But if Sir Keir is ousted this week or sets out a timetable for leaving No10 his successor is likely to alter large chunks of the programme, making the speech meaningless.

Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones said this morning the King’s Speech is going ahead on Wednesday as far as he is aware.

‘We’ve been working very hard to bring together a programme of Bills for the next session that meet the challenges that we face as a country and it’s important that we get on with that work.’

by Jason Groves, Political Editor

Angela Rayner is telling Labour MPs she is ready to launch a leadership campaign, despite remaining under investigation over her tax affairs.

In recent days, the former deputy prime minister has signalled she could fall in behind Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham in any leadership contest.

But Labour sources have told the Mail that she is still canvassing MPs for support for her own campaign if Keir Starmer is forced to quit at short notice.

‘Angie was struggling for support, but she will be a big beneficiary if things move quickly,’ said one. ‘Publicly, she is making very loud representations that Andy should be allowed back. But she is also texting everyone saying she is ready to go.

‘If Andy does get back, she would probably have to row in behind him. But there is a scenario where he can’t get back in time and then, as she sees it, the hand of history falls on her shoulder.’

Ms Rayner was forced to quit the Cabinet last year after it emerged she had failed to pay £40,000 in stamp duty owed on a luxury apartment in Hove, 260 miles from her Greater Manchester constituency.

A planned meeting between the Prime Minister and union leaders on Tuesday has been cancelled.

Leaders of the unions affiliated to Labour – the so-called Tulo group – had been invited to Downing Street for a late afternoon meeting.

But a few hours before it was due to be held, the meeting was cancelled.

More than 100 Labour MPs have backed Sir Keir Starmer to remain Prime Minister.

A statement understood to have been signed by more than 100 urges colleagues to start ‘working together’.

The statement seen by the Press Association says:

Last week we had a devastatingly tough set of election results. It shows we have a hard job ahead to win back trust from the electorate.

That job needs to start today – with all of us working together to deliver the change the country needs.

We must focus on that. This is no time for a leadership contest.

Sir Keir Starmer has been chairing a Middle East Response Committee (Merc) this lunchtime as planned.

The Cabinet committee membership includes Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.

Ms Mahmood is said to have urged Sir Keir to consider his position on Monday, while Mr Jones reiterated his backing for him on Tuesday morning.

Pressure is intensifying on Keir Starmer today after ministerial resignations and more MPs coming forward to call for a change in leadership.

The PM is facing growing unrest in his own ranks, with now more than 80 MPs suggesting he needs to go.

So how could Sir Keir be ousted from Downing Street?

• Formal challenge

Under the Labour Party’s rulebook, if there is no current vacancy for party leader, nominations may be sought by potential challengers.

Those seeking to replace Sir Keir must be nominated by 20 per cent of Labour MPs.

The party currently has 403 MPs in the House of Commons, so this means each challenger will need the support of 81 MPs to force a leadership election.

Sir Keir himself will not be required to seek nominations to enter a leadership election, should he be challenged and he wishes to fight on.

• Cabinet revolt

Perhaps a more likely way of forcing Sir Keir out would be to make it practically impossible for him to continue.

A large section of the Cabinet quitting, or a huge groundswell in the Parliamentary party, could be enough to convince him to go.

That would have the benefit for rivals of clearing the way for a wider contest, rather than requiring them to unite around one challenger.

Boris Johnson suffered a similar fate in 2022, when a slew of ministers quit. Mr Johnson ruefully remarked afterwards that ‘when the herd moves, it moves’.

Heidi Alexander has reiterated her ‘full support’ for Sir Keir Starmer and slapped down suggestions that she is backing plans for Andy Burnham to return to Parliament.

The Transport Secretary wrote on X:

There’s a lot of nonsense flying around at the moment. The PM has my full support in getting on with the job. The only trains I’ve ever spoken to Andy about are those which will run on Northern Powerhouse Rail.

Earlier The Times reported Ms Alexander was backing Mr Burnham to return to Westminster.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden has just walked back into Number 10.

He did not say anything as reporters shouted questions from the other side of Downing Street.

Mr McFadden was among cabinet ministers who joined Sir Keir Starmer for a weekly meeting earlier today.

A Labour MP has branded Andy Burnham ‘shameless’ as the Greater Manchester Mayor reportedly bides his time to declare an interest in succeeding Sir Keir Starmer.

Neil Coyle, who represents Bermondsey in South London, reacted to social media post which stated Burnham would intervene publicly if ‘anything kicks off’.

‘He’s been kicking off for two years. Shameless,’ Mr Coyle wrote on X.

It comes after Mr Burnham was pictured arriving in London at Euston station earlier today amid claims he has travelled down to meet with Labour MPs.

Luke Pollard said he would not be resigning as a minister to provide some relief to Sir Keir Starmer following three resignations today.

In a series of social media posts which did not mention the Prime Minister by name, the defence minister said:

At a moment of seriousness for our country, defence needs a steady hand. I recognise the decisions that many of my colleagues are making about the leadership of our party. I too want bold leadership to deliver the change our country needs.

With our troops deployed round the world, with threats building towards the UK and our allies, my responsibility as defence minister is to put our country first and provide continuity and consistency for our armed forces and defence sector at a highly uncertain time.

Whatever is happening elsewhere in British politics, national security is the first responsibility of government and something I take very seriously. That is why I will not be resigning and will be continuing to support our efforts to rearm, rebuild our forces and protect the UK.

by David Wilcock, Deputy Political Editor

Britain faces being dragged to the Left with a rise in spending, taxation, the minimum wage and renationalisation if Keir Starmer is removed from power.

Higher public spending, higher taxes, a more generous minimum wage and yet more new rights for workers at the expense of employers are among ideas that have been floated by some of the challengers and their allies.

Even before the Prime Minister quits or is forced from No10, the markets have reacted with fear over who might replace him and Chancellor Rachel Reeves.

Long-term borrowing costs have surged to a fresh 28-year high and the pound weakened as Sir Keir’s leadership comes under increasing pressure.

The yield on 30-year UK government bonds – also known as gilts – jumped as much as 13 basis points to 5.807 per cent in this morning’s trading, reaching the highest level since 1998 as Sir Keir faced increasing calls from within his own party to quit.