Hermer Says Starmer Can Survive Challenge After Labour Loses Nearly 1,500 Councillors
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 5
Hermer Says Starmer Can Survive Challenge After Labour Loses Nearly 1,500 Councillors
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 5
Summary
Lord Hermer said Keir Starmer believes he can withstand a leadership challenge, arguing the prime minister has repeatedly proved critics wrong and remains determined to govern.
Nearly 1,500 lost councillors in England and Labour's loss of control of the Welsh Senedd triggered calls for Starmer to quit after a historically bad set of local election results.
Wes Streeting and several junior ministers resigned in the fallout, while Andy Burnham—seen as a leading future contender—is seeking a Commons return in the 18 June Makerfield by-election.
Hermer declined to discuss Burnham's ambitions, instead backing his candidacy and rejecting Tony Blair's criticism that Starmer lacks vision, saying the prime minister still has a clear mandate from 2024.