Sky News was abruptly halted as it was announced that Health Minister Zubir Ahmed had resigned from Sir Keir Starmer‘s government. He’s become the fourth minister to step down today, with Chief Political Correspondent Jon Craig telling viewers: “It’s starting to sound a bit more like a Wes Streeting plot now.”
The resignations follow heavy losses in local and devolved elections last week. The ministers to quit today include Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips, Minister for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls Alex Davies-Jones and Minister for Housing, Communities and Local Government Miatta Fahnbulleh. Craig said: “The idea that Wes Streeting has not talked to his former parliamentary private secretary and his junior minister about this seems difficult to believe. Is this a Wes Streeting plot? It’s starting to look like one.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting is widely seen as a potential leadership challenger. However, he ignored reporters’ questions when he left No. 10 Downing Street earlier today.
As it stands, more than 80 Labour MPs have now urged Starmer to quit or set out a timetable to leave. Meanwhile, more than 100 MPs have reportedly signed a statement backing Starmer, saying “this is no time for a leadership contest”.
Sky News viewers were quick to comment on the breaking alert, with one writing on X: “A wave of ministerial resignations is adding pressure on the government, with developments unfolding quickly throughout the day. As Sky’s Jon Craig reports, attention will now turn to how the leadership responds and whether further changes follow.”
Someone else penned: “This is an earthquake happening in the Starmer administration, a disaster. We need a general election.” A third echoed: “Peeps can keep resigning, but until someone in the Labour Party grows a backbone and puts their hat in the game, it’s pointless. Starmers got over 400 MPs to fill these vacant positions, so these resignations won’t impact anything in the long run.”
However, someone claimed: “The media are 100% driving this story… What did we do in the days before 24hr rolling news?!?”
Another added: “Today has been pointless as Labour are still ignoring the the electorate. Reform was the big winner in the elections, yet Labour want a more left-leaning leader.”
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