Arabic version: نائبة عن حزب العمال تهدد بتحدي القيادة إذا لم يظهر أي منافس

Labour MP Catherine West has issued a challenge to the party’s cabinet, stating that if no minister steps forward to contest Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership by Monday, she will attempt to trigger a leadership contest herself. In an exclusive interview with the BBC, West expressed her desire for the cabinet to reorganize and present their strongest communicator as a replacement for Starmer, aiming to avoid a formal election process.

West, a former junior Foreign Office minister, emphasized that she currently has the backing of 10 MPs for her potential leadership bid but is confident that she can gather the necessary support from at least 81 Labour MPs to trigger a contest. She believes that a reshuffle within the cabinet could prevent further instability within the party. According to BBC News, around 30 Labour MPs have publicly expressed the need for a leadership change following disappointing election results.

The Labour Party faced significant losses in recent elections, including a drop of more than 1,400 seats in English council elections and historic defeats in both the Welsh Senedd and the Scottish Parliament. West acknowledged Starmer’s contributions to rebuilding the party but criticized his grasp on domestic issues, suggesting the party needs to better confront the Reform UK party.

Cabinet Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds cautioned against West’s proposal, arguing that frequent leadership changes could lead to instability and distract from effective governance. Despite West’s intentions, some party members have reacted negatively, with one minister calling her approach “mad” and another labeling it a “totally irresponsible solo mission.”

As Starmer seeks to strengthen his position, he has appointed former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and former deputy leader Harriet Harman as advisers. However, some Labour MPs have questioned the necessity of these appointments, suggesting that addressing the leadership question would be more beneficial for the party’s future. Starmer is expected to deliver a major speech next week in an effort to reset his premiership and outline a new legislative agenda.