Amid the unfolding Peter Mandelson controversy, Sir Keir Starmer’s hold on leadership appears increasingly fragile, prompting questions about whether the British public might soon face a general election.
Uncertainty surrounds the Prime Minister’s future following widespread backlash over his decision to appoint Lord Mandelson as the UK ambassador to the United States.
Adding to the turmoil, Morgan McSweeney, Sir Keir’s chief of staff, resigned on Sunday in protest of Lord Mandelson’s appointment.
In Westminster, the departure of McSweeney, regarded as one of Sir Keir’s closest political allies, has left the Prime Minister more vulnerable. Reports suggest that potential Labour leadership contenders are already preparing to challenge him.
Some Labour backbenchers have begun to voice opinions that Sir Keir should consider stepping down from his role at No. 10, following McSweeney’s exit.
In just over a year and a half since taking office, there is now a tangible possibility that Sir Keir could be succeeded by another Labour leader.
Should that happen, top Labour figures will struggle to fend off calls for an immediate general election to allow a new PM to win their own mandate from the country.
Many of those Labour MPs who now occupy senior positions in Government made the same argument when previous Tory PMs were replaced in the last administration.
When Rishi Sunak replaced Liz Truss in No10 in October 2022, Angela Rayner – the then deputy Labour leader – demanded a general election
David Lammy, who is now Deputy PM, said prior to Mr Sunak becoming PM that it was ‘unacceptable’ that Tory MPs were choosing a third PM ‘in as many months’.
Mr Lammy also criticised the Tories for treating Britain’s democracy as ‘a game of pass the parcel’ and the role of PM as ‘a game of musical chairs’
When Rishi Sunak replaced Liz Truss in No10 in October 2022, Angela Rayner – the then deputy Labour leader – demanded a general election.
She claimed at the time that Mr Sunak had ‘no mandate and the British people have had no say’ as she criticised a ‘coronation’ for the incoming PM.
Ms Rayner is now the frontrunner to replace Sir Keir in Downing Street, despite having been forced to quit the Labour Government in September over a tax row.
Sir Keir himself made similar comments when Mr Sunak replaced Ms Truss as PM in October 2022.
During Mr Sunak’s first session of Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir told the new Tory premier: ‘The only time he ran in a competitive election, he got trounced by the former Prime Minister (Ms Truss), who herself got beaten by a lettuce.
‘So why does he not put it to the test, let working people have their say and call a general election?’
Shabana Mahmood, now the Home Secretary, said in November 2022 that Mr Sunak had ‘no mandate’ and ‘no platform’, adding: ‘We need a general election now.’
The day before Mr Sunak was announced as the new PM, Lisa Nandy – who is now the Culture Secretary – said Britons ‘don’t need a new Tory leader, we need an election’.
Rachel Reeves, who is now Chancellor, shared a message from Sir Keir Starmer on 20 October 2022 attacking a ‘revolving door of chaos’
David Lammy, who is now Deputy PM, said prior to Mr Sunak becoming PM that it was ‘unacceptable’ that Tory MPs were choosing a third PM ‘in as many months’.
‘We need a general election NOW,’ Mr Lammy said in a social media post.
He also criticised the Tories for treating Britain’s democracy as ‘a game of pass the parcel’ and the role of PM as ‘a game of musical chairs’.
The day before Mr Sunak was announced as the new PM, Lisa Nandy – who is now the Culture Secretary – said Britons ‘don’t need a new Tory leader, we need an election’.
Shabana Mahmood, now the Home Secretary, said in November 2022 that Mr Sunak had ‘no mandate’ and ‘no platform’, adding: ‘We need a general election now.’
Rachel Reeves, who is now Chancellor, and Wes Streeting, who is now the Health Secretary, both shared messages from Sir Keir on 20 October 2022 attacking a ‘revolving door of chaos’.
Both Ms Reeves and Mr Streeting said: ‘The British public deserve a say on the country’s direction. We need a general election – now.’
