Jess Phillips resigns as Starmer attempts to cling on as prime minister

WorldPolitics
12 May 2026 • 8:10 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Jess Phillips resigns as Starmer attempts to cling on as prime minister

  • Jess Phillips has resigned from her role as safeguarding minister, becoming the second minister to step down amidst growing pressure on Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.
  • In her resignation letter, Phillips stated she could not continue to serve under the current leadership as she was 'not seeing the change I think I, and the country expect'.
  • Her departure follows that of junior minister Miatta Fahnbulleh on Tuesday morning, who also called for Sir Keir to establish a timetable for an 'orderly transition' of leadership.
  • Sir Keir Starmer is facing significant calls for his resignation, with at least four members of his top team, including Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, urging him to step down, though he has told his Cabinet he 'will not quit'.
  • Speculation is mounting that Health Secretary Wes Streeting is preparing to launch a leadership bid on Tuesday, as more than 80 Labour MPs have now publicly called for a change in the party's leadership.

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