Exclusive: Keir Starmer Weeks Away From Leadership Challenge, Labour MP Warns
Keir Starmer will “undoubtedly” face a leadership challenge if Labour flops in May’s elections, one of the party’s MPs has warned.
Karl Turner said a “revolt” by the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) is just weeks away unless the PM turns around the government’s fortunes.
His comments came after former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner warned the government was “running out of time” to deliver the change voters were promised.
Turner, the MP for East Hull, told HuffPost UK that he welcomed Rayner’s intervention.
He said: “It is refreshing to see a senior Labour politician come out and speak clearly to the situation we find ourselves in.”
Turner, a fierce critic of the government’s plans to scrap most jury trials, said there is “a great deal of discontent on the Labour benches”.
“This isn’t what whips would describe as ‘usual suspects’, this is loyal MPs pulling our hair out at the leadership of the party,” he said.
“We are incredibly frustrated both at the direction the party since July 2024, when we were given the chance to prove that we can govern the country in the best interests of the vast majority.
“We cannot continue with more of the same.”
Although Turner said he still supports Starmer’s leadership, he needs to urgently up his game as Labour continues to trail badly in the opinion polls.
And he said the elections for the Scottish Parliament, Welsh Senedd and English councils on May 7 were D-Day for his premiership.
He said: “The PM needs to listen hard to what his PLP are saying. We cannot be treated with contempt.
“We aren’t just voting fodder to get ludicrous, ill-thought policy through.
“There will be a revolt in the PLP and I am afraid that it’s a few weeks away. If we do badly in Scotland, Wales and up and down regions of England the PM will undoubtedly face a challenge.
“We need better leadership - hard working Labour MPs, councillors and other politicians deserve that.”
Turner added: “We have the ability to change people’s lives for the better.
“Sadly, the focus up to now has been far too timid. We can and must do better.”