Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar urges Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign over Downing Street mistakes in Glasgow press conference

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has delivered a dramatic challenge to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, publicly calling for him to step down.

Speaking at a hastily arranged press conference in Glasgow, Sarwar described the leadership in Downing Street as “not good enough” and criticized a string of “too many mistakes.”

His statement makes him the most senior Labour figure to openly demand Starmer’s resignation.

Sarwar admitted the decision was painful, stressing that he has a “genuine friendship” with Starmer.

Despite this, he argued that the ongoing issues in the government were serious enough to require immediate action, particularly with the Scottish elections looming in May.

Cabinet Ministers Rally Around Starmer

While Sarwar’s intervention grabbed national attention, several key figures in Starmer’s Cabinet quickly expressed their support for the Prime Minister.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, and Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper all spoke out, signaling a united front as Labour prepared for a critical meeting with MPs later in the day.

Defence Secretary John Healey reinforced the message, reminding the public that Starmer had been given a clear mandate in the last general election and that the electorate expects the government to focus on delivering its agenda rather than getting distracted by internal disputes.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander also dismissed Sarwar’s call as misguided, emphasizing that the Cabinet intends to close ranks around Starmer and maintain government stability.

Sarwar Points to Failures in Downing Street

At his press briefing, Sarwar laid out his reasoning in detail.

He criticized the leadership in Downing Street for repeated missteps, describing them as a distraction from Labour’s core mission.

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He said the situation “cannot continue” and argued that too many mistakes had already occurred, undermining public confidence in the government.

Sarwar framed his intervention as a responsibility to Scotland rather than a personal attack, noting that ongoing leadership issues in London could hinder Labour’s performance in the upcoming Scottish elections.

He made clear that the focus was on ensuring accountability, insisting that voters deserve competent leadership at both the UK and Scottish levels.

No Endorsement of a Successor

Despite calling for Starmer to resign, Sarwar was careful not to endorse anyone as a replacement.

He stressed that he was not backing any candidate and that the decision about future leadership lies with the UK Cabinet and the Labour Party as a whole.

His intervention was framed purely as a call for change in governance, not as an internal party maneuver or factional play.

Starmer Responds with Defiance

Downing Street responded swiftly to Sarwar’s remarks, making it clear that Starmer has no plans to step down.

A spokesperson highlighted that Starmer is one of only a few Labour leaders to win a general election and emphasized that he still has a five-year mandate to deliver change for the country.

The government insisted that internal criticism would not derail its work, and Starmer himself is reportedly preparing to meet MPs to reaffirm his leadership and outline the path forward.

What’s Next?

Labour now faces a tense period of internal scrutiny.

The coming days will reveal whether Sarwar’s criticism sparks a broader challenge or whether the Cabinet’s show of support solidifies Starmer’s position.

The party must also navigate the implications for the Scottish elections, where leadership questions could influence voter confidence.

Observers suggest that both Starmer’s authority and Labour’s political strategy will be tested as tensions continue to unfold.

Summary

Anas Sarwar’s public call for Keir Starmer to resign has put Labour in uncharted territory, highlighting divisions within the party at a critical moment.

Sarwar criticized Downing Street for repeated mistakes and framed his intervention as a duty to Scotland, without endorsing a successor.

Cabinet ministers, including Rachel Reeves, David Lammy, and Yvette Cooper, quickly rallied around Starmer, emphasizing stability and continuity.

With the Scottish elections approaching and internal tensions simmering, the next few weeks could prove decisive for both Starmer’s premiership and Labour’s political fortunes.