West Midlands MPs call for Starmer to resign

The prime minister is facing growing pressure to resign from West Midlands MPs.

On Monday, Birmingham Erdington MP Paulette Hamilton called for Sir Keir to step down, and since then a further three West Midlands MPs have echoed her sentiments.

Labour MP Tahir Ali, who represents Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley, said in a statement posted to social media that last week's local election results "show a party in crisis" and called on Starmer to resign as the first step towards "real change".

Halesowen's MP Alex Ballinger and North Warwickshire and Bedworth MP Rachel Taylor both said their constituents had lost confidence in the prime minister.

"We've drifted away from our core values, picking the wrong battles and targeting the wrong people," Ali said.

"It is clear the current leadership needs a total change in direction. We can't keep coasting without a real vision.

"It's time to stop the excuses and take serious steps to get this party back on track.

"The first step is for Keir Starmer to step down. But that is only the first step, we need to make sure real change follows."

The prime minister vowed to fight on as leader in a speech on Monday morning.

Ballinger said although he believed the Sir Keir to be a "good and decent man" it was time for him to go.

"It's clear from countless doorstep conversations that my constituents have lost confidence in him.

"Disastrous local election results across the Black Country only confirm this."

He added that for fear of "handing the country to the far right" a new leader "who will be bolder, and one who can better articulate how Labour is changing our country" would be better.

In a statement posted on social media Taylor said she listened to the prime minister's speech on Monday with "an open mind" but it was not enough.

"I don't think he spoke clearly enough about the change my constituents need to feel.

"It is my duty to reflect on the fact that my constituents have lost faith in the prime minister to deliver the change Labour promised at the last election."

Although the pressure is mounting for Sir Keir to step down, Birmingham Edgbaston MP Preet Gill and Rugby MP John Slinger have given him their backing.

Slinger described Sir Keir as not being "an accidental leader."

"He won a leadership election, reformed Labour, won a historic majority and has stabilised the economy, cut NHS waiting lists and delivered the biggest uplift in workers' rights in a generation."

While Gill has called for calm and unity to "get on with the job".

Speaking to her Labour colleagues she said on X: "We criticised the Tories for chaos and division and we cannot now inflict the same on the country ourselves.

"People are angry and hurt, yes, but turning inwards helps nobody."

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