Labour MP Catherine McKinnell: It’s time Kier Starmer went

Catherine McKinnell has called for a new face to be installed in Downing Street, as pressure mounts on the Government following a disastrous set of local election results.

Labour lost control of councils including Newcastle, Sunderland, Gateshead, and South Tyneside, as it suffered massive losses across the country.

Ms McKinnell, who was schools minister from July 2024 until September last year, has now followed the likes of David Smith and Kate Osborne in the ranks of North East MPs demanding change at the top.

In Newcastle, Labour was reduced to a meagre two seats on the city council after 15 years in power on Tyneside.

The Newcastle North MP said: “The message given by the voters on Thursday was clear as day – the Labour Government has to change, or we will change the Labour Government. Local councillors who had given decades of public service between them bore the brunt as message bearers. We now have only two Labour councillors left in Newcastle – the lowest ever.

“Having spoken to many constituents over these past few weeks, I know many voted in sorrow rather than anger, but they were clear that they could not support the Labour Party at this time.

“We are not connecting with voters, and they do not feel we are delivering for them. This, despite some of the most profound reforms to children and families, housing, young people, employment and immigration the country has seen in generations.

“It’s become clear that it’s time for a new leader to take us to the finish line of this term and onto the next. A leader that will waste no time looking inward, but relentlessly deliver the manifesto that we committed to at the General Election. A leader who has a clear unwavering sense of direction, a proven track record of delivery, and an ability to connect with voters on the left, right and centre.

“It’s vital we now see a swift and orderly transition so we can get on with delivering on our promise of change. The voting public have been crystal clear we have no time to lose.”

In a speech on Monday morning, Sir Keir insisted he would not walk away from the job and vowed to prove his doubters wrong.

He said: “I’m not going to shy away from the fact that I’ve got some doubters, including in my own party.

“I’m not going to shy away from the fact that I have to prove them wrong, and I will.”

The Prime Minister promised to nationalise British Steel and pledged to go further in a “reset” of relations with the European Union. 

Backbench MP Catherine West, who had said she would challenge Sir Keir for the Labour leadership in an effort to force the cabinet to put forward a replacement, has now backed down on that threat.

She has instead said she would canvass support within the party for the Prime Minister setting out a timetable for his resignation by September.