Keir Starmer retreats to Downing Street bunker amid mounting calls from Labour MPs and union leaders to take responsibility for Peter Mandelson appointment scandal

Keir Starmer has spent the day largely out of public view, staying inside Downing Street as tensions within Labour reach boiling point.

His closest ally, Morgan McSweeney, resigned over the controversial appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador—a move that has left MPs and union leaders questioning whether Starmer himself can continue as Prime Minister.

Sources say the atmosphere in No10 is tense and silent, with senior Cabinet ministers yet to voice public support for their leader.

The Prime Minister has no engagements scheduled for today, and rumors of a national address were quickly denied.

A British Airways flight simulator even appeared outside No10 this morning, adding to the sense of surreal confusion.

MPs Demand Accountability and a Shift Left

Labour MPs are pushing Starmer to publicly address the crisis, insisting he must demonstrate he understands the severity of the situation and is willing to take decisive action.

Calls are growing for him to pivot to the Left politically, signaling he is responsive to both the party and public outrage.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden was reportedly blindsided when asked to defend McSweeney on television, just hours before the adviser stepped down.

Other Labour figures, including former campaigns chief Jon Trickett and MPs Kim Johnson and Brian Leishman, have openly suggested that Starmer consider resigning, arguing the buck stops at the top.

Mixed Messages from the Party

Despite the mounting calls for his departure, Starmer does have supporters who stress his determination to carry on.

Skills Minister Baroness Jacqui Smith appeared on broadcast media to defend the Prime Minister, insisting he is focused on reforming a system that allowed Mandelson’s missteps to occur.

However, she admitted she had not spoken to Starmer personally, highlighting a disconnect in communication during this crisis.

Meanwhile, left-wing Labour MPs are insisting that the resignation of McSweeney is just the beginning.

They argue that Starmer must take responsibility and potentially reconsider his position if he wants to maintain credibility within the party.

Starmer’s Leadership Calculus

Starmer’s leadership is complicated by the fact that potential rivals—Angela Rayner, Wes Streeting, and Andy Burnham—are currently not in a position to challenge him.

Still, questions linger about how long he can survive politically without the strategist who helped elevate him.

This is not the first time Starmer has faced doubts; he reportedly considered stepping down after Labour’s loss in the Hartlepool by-election, though he ultimately chose to persevere.

Union leaders have joined the chorus of criticism.

Fire Brigades Union general secretary Steve Wright and Maryam Eslamdoust, leader of the Labour-affiliated Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association, have suggested that it may be time for a leadership change before upcoming elections.

Opposition and Public Criticism

Tory figures are also seizing on Labour’s turmoil.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Starmer for allowing McSweeney to take the fall for a decision he ultimately made himself, arguing that leadership involves responsibility, not excuses.

Badenoch reminded the public of Mandelson’s history of ethical controversies and suggested that Starmer’s position is “untenable” if he cannot fully own the fallout.

What’s Next?

Labour faces a tense evening with a highly-charged Parliamentary Party meeting.

MPs are expected to demand answers and a clear strategy, while Starmer must decide whether to reaffirm his leadership or signal a potential exit.

The party’s future direction—particularly whether Starmer shifts left to regain trust—will likely be a central topic in the coming days.

Public opinion, union pressure, and internal party dynamics will all influence his next move.

With senior allies staying silent, Starmer’s ability to manage both the crisis and the optics of leadership is under unprecedented scrutiny.

Summary

Keir Starmer is currently navigating one of the most turbulent periods of his premiership, following the resignation of his chief adviser Morgan McSweeney over the Peter Mandelson controversy.

Labour MPs and union leaders are pressing for accountability, with some calling for Starmer to resign. Starmer has yet to appear publicly, leaving speculation swirling about his next steps.

Allies defend his resolve, but criticism from within the party and opposition figures underscores the fragility of his position.

The coming hours and the Parliamentary Party meeting could determine whether Starmer stabilizes his leadership or faces calls for an unprecedented exit.