Evening Briefing Europe

Starmer Vows To Stay Despite Ministers Stepping Down

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A board with betting odds of potential replacements for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London, UK, on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.Photographer: Betty Laura Zapata/Bloomberg

Despite coming under intense pressure to quit following disastrous election results for his Labour Party, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer appears to have won something of a reprieve. A high-stakes cabinet meeting today ended with a public show of support from key remaining allies.

But the display of confidence came at a cost and may not be long lived. Four government ministers, including Home Office minister Jess Philips have resigned. At least two cabinet ministers — Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood — have called for Starmer to set out a timetable for his departure.