Scottish Labour Leader May Ask Prime Minister Starmer to Quit

The leader of Scottish Labour, Anas Sarwar, is expected to ask Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign today. This comes after some staff left Starmer's team and a problem about Lord Mandelson's past links. People are watching to see what happens next.
By Newsroom | Politics, United Kingdom |

Keir Starmer's leadership faces a significant challenge as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar is reportedly poised to call for his resignation. This development occurs amidst a backdrop of political pressure, including the recent departures of key Downing Street staff, and follows revelations concerning the appointment of Lord Mandelson. The unfolding situation is generating considerable attention and prompting scrutiny of Starmer's position.

Keir Starmer latest LIVE: Huge blow to PM as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar 'to call for him to resign' - 1

The focus is intensifying on Prime Minister Keir Starmer as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar is expected to publicly demand his resignation. This anticipated move comes at a critical juncture, following the recent resignations of Starmer's chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, and director of communications, Tim Allan. These staff changes are linked to the fallout from Starmer's acknowledgment of awareness regarding Lord Mandelson's continued association with Jeffrey Epstein prior to his appointment as a US ambassador. The situation has heightened political uncertainty, with some reports indicating that investors are monitoring the developing crisis, leading to a dip in the FTSE 100 index.

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Keir Starmer latest LIVE: Huge blow to PM as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar 'to call for him to resign' - 2

Political Landscape and Key Events

The current political climate surrounding Keir Starmer is marked by a series of events that have eroded confidence and amplified pressure on his leadership.

Keir Starmer latest LIVE: Huge blow to PM as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar 'to call for him to resign' - 3

  • Staff Departures:

  • Morgan McSweeney, Starmer's chief of staff, resigned on Sunday. His departure is understood to be linked to advice given regarding the appointment of Lord Mandelson.

  • Tim Allan, Starmer's director of communications, also quit his position on Monday morning. Allan's tenure was reportedly less than a year.

  • Lord Mandelson Appointment Controversy:

  • Keir Starmer admitted awareness that Lord Mandelson maintained contact with Jeffrey Epstein after Epstein's conviction for sex offenses, preceding Mandelson's potential appointment as a US ambassador.

  • This revelation has led to significant criticism, with Starmer apologizing to Epstein's victims and stating he believed Mandelson's account at the time.

  • Critics argue Starmer made a poor decision and should take responsibility for it.

  • Upcoming Scottish Elections:

  • The upcoming Scottish Parliament elections in May are a significant factor.

  • Recent opinion polls place Labour trailing the Scottish National Party (SNP) and Reform UK.

  • Some within the Scottish Labour party reportedly believe the turmoil in Downing Street has "heavily damaged support" for Scottish Labour, potentially impacting their electoral prospects.

  • There is a view that Sarwar's call for resignation is an effort to "prevent annihilation" for the party in these elections.

  • Public Statements and Pressure:

  • Anas Sarwar is scheduled to hold a press conference in Glasgow, where he is widely expected to announce his call for Starmer to step down.

  • Downing Street has stated that Starmer "will not be resigning today."

  • Some Labour MPs and figures are reportedly urging Starmer to resign, while others are encouraging unity.

Evidence of Anticipated Resignation Call

Multiple news outlets report that Anas Sarwar, the leader of Scottish Labour, is expected to call for Keir Starmer to resign. This expectation is based on pre-arranged press conferences and information obtained by various news organizations.

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Keir Starmer latest LIVE: Huge blow to PM as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar 'to call for him to resign' - 4

  • Reports and Understandings:

  • The Standard reports that Anas Sarwar is "expected to call for Sir Keir Starmer to stand down."

  • The Guardian states that Sarwar "is to call on Keir Starmer to stand down."

  • Sky News understands that Sarwar is "to call for Keir Starmer to resign."

  • The Independent indicates Sarwar will "demand PM resign over Mandelson scandal."

  • The Glasgow Times reports Sarwar "is expected to call for Keir Starmer to resign."

  • Huffington Post states Sarwar "is to call on Keir Starmer to resign."

  • Scheduled Press Conference:

  • An unscheduled press conference has been arranged by Anas Sarwar in Glasgow for 2:30 PM on Monday. This timing and venue are significant given the context of the political pressure on Starmer.

  • Motivation and Context:

  • Sarwar is reportedly "furious" and "disgusted" by the situation involving Lord Mandelson and believes repeated mistakes by the Prime Minister have "heavily damaged support for Scottish Labour."

  • There is a belief among some senior Scottish Labour figures that Sarwar calling for Starmer's resignation would "bring down the Prime Minister and revive the Scottish party’s chances in the Holyrood election."

  • Some in the Scottish party reportedly see this as the "wrong move" and likely to cause "more chaos," while others believe it's a necessary action given the upcoming Holyrood vote.

Downing Street's Position

Despite the mounting pressure and the anticipated announcement from Anas Sarwar, Downing Street has indicated that Keir Starmer does not intend to resign.

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  • Official Statements:

  • Keir Starmer's spokesman has stated that the Prime Minister "will not be resigning today."

  • Downing Street has confirmed that Keir Starmer "will not be resigning today."

  • Focus on Work:

  • A spokesperson for Starmer emphasized his focus on "getting young people into work," noting that the current day marks the start of National Apprenticeship Week.

Internal Labour Dynamics

The situation has exposed potential divisions and varying perspectives within the Labour Party regarding Starmer's leadership and the handling of recent controversies.

  • Criticism and Calls for Resignation:

  • Some Labour MPs, particularly those from Scotland, are described as Starmer's "biggest critics" and believe he is leading Scottish Labour toward defeat.

  • A statement attributed to someone named "Morgan" suggests that both McSweeney and Starmer "needed to go."

  • There are reports that senior Scottish Labour figures want Anas Sarwar to call for Starmer to quit, believing it would be beneficial for the party's electoral prospects.

  • Calls for Unity and Support:

  • Conversely, some allies of Starmer are urging the party to "stick with the Prime Minister."

  • Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden was reportedly put in a difficult position by being asked to defend McSweeney hours before his resignation.

  • Sarwar's Previous Stance:

  • In the past week, when directly asked if Starmer should quit, Sarwar has repeatedly responded with calls for "full transparency" and expressed fury and disgust at the Mandelson situation. He stated it was a "mistake to appoint him as the ambassador."

Analysis of Political Fallout

The convergence of staff resignations, the Mandelson controversy, and impending elections has created a precarious situation for Keir Starmer.

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  • Impact of Staff Departures: The simultaneous resignation of Starmer's chief of staff and director of communications is a substantial blow, signaling internal disarray. The timing of these departures, following revelations about Lord Mandelson, amplifies the perceived crisis.

  • Mandelson Controversy as a Catalyst: Starmer's admission about his knowledge of Mandelson's links to Jeffrey Epstein has proven deeply damaging. It has allowed political opponents to question his judgment and integrity, and it has clearly created significant unease within his own party, particularly in Scotland where the electoral stakes are high.

  • Electoral Pressure: With Scottish Parliament elections approaching, the performance of Scottish Labour is a key concern. The belief that Starmer's leadership is detrimental to their electoral chances in Scotland appears to be a significant driver behind Anas Sarwar's anticipated move. Is this an attempt to distance Scottish Labour from a national crisis and improve their standing, or will it further destabilize the party?

  • Downing Street's Resilience: The insistence from Downing Street that Starmer will not resign suggests a strategy to weather the storm. However, the scale of the internal dissent, as evidenced by Sarwar's expected action, may challenge this resolve.

Conclusion and Implications

The political landscape for Prime Minister Keir Starmer is marked by significant pressure, primarily stemming from the fallout of the Lord Mandelson appointment and the recent resignations of key staff members. The imminent announcement by Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, widely expected to demand Starmer's resignation, represents a critical moment.

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  • Immediate Focus: All eyes are on Anas Sarwar's press conference at 2:30 PM. His explicit call for Starmer's resignation will significantly escalate the internal party pressure.

  • Party Unity: The reaction within the wider Labour Party to Sarwar's statement will be crucial. Will it galvanize calls for Starmer's departure, or will efforts to maintain unity prevail?

  • Electoral Considerations: The timing of these events, so close to the Scottish Parliament elections, suggests a potential strategic move by Sarwar to mitigate electoral damage. The impact on Scottish Labour's performance remains a key question.

  • Downing Street's Response: Downing Street's assertion that Starmer will not resign suggests a determination to continue. However, the sustained public and internal pressure will test this stance. The long-term viability of Starmer's leadership appears increasingly contingent on navigating these challenges effectively.

Sources:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is happening today?
The leader of Scottish Labour, Anas Sarwar, is expected to ask Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign.
Q: Why might Anas Sarwar ask Keir Starmer to resign?
This is happening because of recent problems, including staff leaving Starmer's team and issues about Lord Mandelson's past.
Q: Will Keir Starmer resign?
Downing Street has said that Keir Starmer will not resign today.
Q: When is this expected to happen?
Anas Sarwar is expected to make his announcement at a press conference this afternoon.