'I think he should...' - What Fylde coast MPs have said on Prime Minister Keir Starmer's future

The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, is under increasing pressure from members of his own party to stand down amid widespread public dissatisfaction with his leadership following a bruising set of council elections.

Wes Streeting’s resignation as health secretary has thrown the future of the Labour leadership into further doubt after days of mounting speculation about the prospect of a challenge to Sir Keir Starmer’s position.

Here’s what Fylde coast MPs have said on the matter...

Chris Webb, Labour MP for Blackpool South

Chris Webb MP declined to comment when approached.

Lorraine Beavers, Labour MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood

“I’ve spent the weekend listening to my constituents, local party members and local councillors. They are as fed up as I am. Without a massive change in approach, when elections are held in my corner of Lancashire next year, voters will send the same message with even greater force.

“I wanted to give the Prime Minister the chance to set out that change this morning. It was a passionate speech – passion I wish I’d heard more often from the Prime Minister over the last two years.

“But the content of the speech did not suggest anything close to the scale of change needed to rebuild communities like mine. I believe that the Prime Minister should announce a timetable for leaving office.

“We must have a new leader in place well in advance of next year’s local elections. For our Party to rediscover its connection with working-class communities like mine, we need a democratic contest involving the most talented leaders from across our movement.

“A cabinet appointment, without consulting the wider party and labour movement, would risk repeating the same mistakes already made.”

Cat Smith, Labour MP for Lancaster and Wyre

Cat Smith MP declined to comment when approached.

Andrew Snowden, Conservative MP for Fylde

“Keir Starmer is clearly in office but not in power. Election results last week showed he has lost the country, and now it’s clear even his own party doesn’t back him. Every day he clings onto power creates more chaos in the markets and more uncertainty for businesses, who have already suffered during his tenure.

“Simply holding him to account by using his words and the judgements he has used against others in the past, would demonstrate that he needs to end the chaos around his leadership and resign.

“Starmer and the Labour Party entered Government of with no clear plan of how to tackle the complex challenges our country faces. The damage this has caused over the last two years is now being compounded by the Prime Minister clinging to power at all costs.

“He should do the right thing, and resign.”