Labour MP Urges Starmer to Set Exit Timeline Amid Leadership Pressure

Catherine West has stepped back from launching an immediate leadership challenge against UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, but has called on him to announce a timetable for leaving office by September.

The Labour MP had earlier threatened to trigger a leadership contest following Labour’s disappointing election performance. However, after listening to Starmer’s speech addressing the party’s losses, West decided not to pursue an immediate challenge.

In his speech in central London, Starmer said he would not resign and vowed to prove his critics wrong. He admitted Labour had made mistakes but insisted the government had made the correct major political decisions.

Reacting afterward, West said the speech brought “renewed energy and ideas” but argued it was “too little too late”.

In a statement, she said the election results showed the prime minister had failed to inspire hope among voters and called for an “orderly transition” of leadership.

West announced she is gathering support from Labour MPs to pressure Starmer into setting a timetable for electing a new party leader in September.

Her decision not to force an immediate contest is seen as a temporary relief for Downing Street. However, delaying any leadership race could benefit Andy Burnham, who is viewed by some MPs as a possible replacement for Starmer.

Burnham is currently not a member of parliament, meaning he cannot enter a leadership race unless he first secures a parliamentary seat.

Labour MP Clive Lewis said West’s earlier threat had caused significant unrest within the party, but discussions since then had shifted strategy toward finding the strongest possible future leader.

Reports suggest nearly 40 Labour MPs have now either urged Starmer to resign immediately or asked him to provide a timeline for stepping down.

During his speech, Starmer acknowledged Labour’s election setbacks, saying the results “hurt” and that he took responsibility. However, he argued resigning now would create political instability similar to what he accused the Conservatives of causing in recent years.

The prime minister also announced plans to nationalise British Steel, with legislation expected in the King’s Speech later this week.

Senior Labour figure Angela Rayner said the party would ultimately be judged by actions rather than words and admitted Labour “must do better”.

Some Labour MPs continued to criticise the prime minister’s leadership, while others publicly defended him, arguing that changing leaders repeatedly would undermine the government’s ability to deliver reforms.