Sir Keir Starmer: which Yorkshire Labour MPs have called on the Prime Minister to resign?

More than a dozen Labour MPs in Yorkshire have now called for Sir Keir Starmer to resign, following the party’s disastrous local election results.

In Yorkshire, Labour lost its majority on six of the eight councils up for election, including in Leeds.

It also lost power in Wakefield and Barnsley for the first time since the local authorities were created in 1974. In Sheffield, Labour won just three of the 28 councillors up for election.

More than 81 Labour MPs overall have called for Sir Keir to stand down, which is the figure required to back a contender and trigger a leadership election.

This includes 13 of Yorkshire’s 42 Labour MPs, as well as Karl Turner who has currently had the whip suspended. Find out whether your MP has called on Sir Keir to resign below:

This list will be updated periodically.

MPs calling for Sir Keir Starmer to resign

Some 13 Yorkshire MPs have called for Sir Keir Starmer to set out a timescale for a leadership contest. Jon Trickett (Normanton and Hemsworth) was one of the first, telling LBC after the local elections that the Prime Minister should go “in months”.

“The pride of one individual cannot be more important than the future of so many communities and community councils up and down the country,” he said.

“He needs to go … I say within months and then the party and the Government can move onto a new phase.”

Louise Haigh (Sheffield Heeley), the former transport secretary, described the results as devastating, and said: “We've got to be honest, the prime minister and national issues came up on nearly every doorstep."

She told the BBC that “unless the government delivers significant and urgent change the PM can't lead us into another election".

Sally Jameson (Doncaster Central) quit her role as parliamentary private secretary in the Home Office, a junior government role, to call for the Prime Minister to resign.

She said: “The message from last week’s elections was stark.

“Britain faces enormous challenges and we need a Labour government that can deliver change on the scale that my constituents in Doncaster Central and the wider public want to see.

“It is clear that the Prime Minister no longer has the confidence of the public to lead that change.”

Paul Davies (Colne Valley) said: “In my constituency and across the country, there has been a clear message – we have to have bolder, progressive measures in place to address the cost of living crisis that so many people still face. They cannot wait until the end of this parliament or another term. This crisis is with us now.

“I believe we have the capability within the Labour Party to do this. However, it is now very clear that it is not possible with the current leadership left in place.

“In particular, I do not believe that the Prime Minister is the person who is able to rebuild trust with our citizens and lead the party and country in making these urgent changes.”

Lee Pitcher (Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme) said: “The Prime Minister is a decent man who has done much to stabilise our economy and champion Britain abroad.

“There is so much this Labour Government should be proud of. But it is now clear a new direction is required.”

Clive Betts (Sheffield South East) posted on Facebook saying he could “not ignore” what he was “repeatedly told” when doorstepping, explaining that voters would not choose Labour until “the Prime Minister was replaced”.

Richard Burgon (Leeds East) has called for an “orderly transition” by the end of the year.

Olivia Blake (Sheffield Hallam) told The Independent that the Prime Minister needs to “think about his position” and there needs to be an “orderly plan” for a post-Sir Keir Labour.

Abtisam Mohamed (Sheffield Central) argued that the Prime Minister should agree to a “clear transition and timeline” for new leadership.

Rachael Maskell (York Central) called for a timetable to ensure the party can “restore the purpose, policies and promise of a great Labour movement under new leadership”.

Imran Hussain (Bradford East) said that Starmer has “fought his last election as Labour leader”, and called for an “orderly transition”.

Anna Dixon (Shipley) told BBC Politics North that the results were a reflection of “national politics” expressing concerns that the public has no “confidence” that the Prime Minister could take Labour to the next general election. She said the party should plan for an “orderly transition” in leadership.

Alex Sobel (Leeds Central and Headingley) said: “The Prime Minister has to do what is best for the country and the party, not what is best for himself.

“I want to give him the time and space to make that decision, but the message is now very clear. There’s a deeper issue here about leadership, character and integrity. Integrity matters in politics. You cannot tell people their lives are better if they don’t feel it."

Mr Sobel added: "The Prime Minister’s speech yesterday did not challenge the status quo and failed to articulate the radical societal change the Country needs. The Prime Minister needs to announce a date for his departure so we can have an open contest and an orderly transition."

Karl Turner (Hull East), who was elected a Labour MP but currently has the whip suspended, added: “Were I currently in possession of the Labour whip, I would state plainly that the Prime Minister should resign and allow an orderly transition to a new leader, chosen democratically by the Labour Party membership.”

Which MPs have backed Sir Keir?

The majority of Yorkshire’s Labour MPs have not called for Sir Keir to resign, however most of these have not made public statements backing the Prime Minister either. This includes Chancellor Rachel Reeves (Leeds West and Pudsey), Energy Secretary Ed Miliband (Doncaster North) and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper (Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley).

The Defence Secretary John Healey (Rawmarsh and Conisburgh) took to X to reiterate his support for the Prime Minister, warning “more instability is not in Britain’s interest”.

Climate Change Minister Katie White (Leeds North West) told The Yorkshire Post on Friday after Labour lost its majority in Leeds: “It’s been a heart wrenching day ... I’m glad the PM has taken responsibility."

But she backed Sir Keir: "What I heard clearly on doorsteps was a desire for us to crack on with a clear and bold plan & not to turn in on ourselves.

“The country tested to destruction the idea of changing leaders under the last Government. Let’s focus on fixing the real problems."

Employment Minister Dame Diana Johnson (Hull North and Cottingham) said the Government should focus on tomorrow’s King’s Speech: “Under two years ago, Labour was elected with a 174 majority for a five-year Parliament to restore stability, focus on the cost of living and start a decade of change.

“Wednesday’s King’s Speech will set out the next stage of that renewal. Last week showed why this should be our focus.”

Local Transport Minister Simon Lightwood (Wakefield) told the Wakefield Express after Labour’s devastating election loss: “I don’t think people want us to be distracted by any sort of leadership election - I think that would be unforgivable”.

Most Yorkshire MPs however did not comment on Sir Keir’s future.