A cabinet minister has warned that Labour is repeating the mistakes of the Conservatives by focusing on leadership changes rather than collective responsibility, as internal tensions over Sir Keir Starmer’s position escalate. Business Secretary Peter Kyle, speaking at a lunch event in Parliament, expressed frustration that some in the party are pinning the government’s problems on one individual. “It’s easy to blame one person, and not accept responsibility for our collective endeavour as a government,” he said. Kyle criticised colleagues who, he said, were “quite conveniently” blaming Starmer alone, adding: “I don't think we've learned the lessons of the Tory Party in government, where every time there was a problem … there was only one solution, and that's changing the leader at the top.”
His remarks come after last month’s poor election results in England, Wales and Scotland, which saw almost a hundred Labour MPs sign a letter calling on Starmer to step down or set a timetable to go. Starmer has defied those calls, saying he would not be going and would fight any challenge. More than 100 Labour MPs signalled support for the prime minister, but his authority has also been undermined by the damaging saga over Lord Mandelson’s appointment as UK ambassador to the United States.
“Business Secretary Peter Kyle warns Labour against copying Tory leadership change obsession as Starmer faces calls to quit.”
Adding to the turmoil, Sky News reported that a row has broken out over Starmer's closest aide after he sent consoling messages to Mandelson following his sacking as US ambassador. The aide met with female MPs to discuss the matter, though further details were not available.
Five ministers resigned their posts in the wake of the elections, most prominently former health secretary Wes Streeting. Streeting said he would take part in any new leadership contest but would wait to see whether Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield by-election on 18 June and is able to stand. Burnham has said he wants to “change Labour, because Labour needs change”.
Kyle, a close friend of Streeting, said they spoke “often” but warned: “If you put friendship ahead of what you believe is the interest of the country, that takes you to a very bad place.” He criticised potential challengers, saying “entitlement is not a qualification for leadership”, and accused the party of rewarding the wrong behaviour by giving attention to those positioning themselves as alternatives.
No candidates have yet launched a formal challenge against Starmer, despite intense speculation in Westminster. The prime minister has said he would fight any challenge, but the combination of electoral losses, ministerial resignations and the Mandelson row has left his position under sustained pressure.