County Durham Labour MPs speak out on Starmer Prime Minister

MPs in County Durham have urged Sir Keir Starmer to resign after the party suffered significant losses in last week’s elections throughout the North East. 

Heavy defeats in its former historic heartlands, including local councils in Newcastle, Sunderland, Gateshead and South Tyneside, have dramatically redrawn the region’s political map. 

The latest blow came a year after its presence on Durham County Council was almost wiped out when Reform UK swept to victory. 

But some backers of the Prime Minister have spoken out in support of Sir Keir, saying it is not the right time for a leadership contest and that Sir Keir is the right person to remain in charge. 

We have asked all Labour MPs across County Durham and Darlington for their stance on whether the Prime Minister should continue or resign. 

Luke Akehurst, North Durham 

Elected in 2024, he has been a long-time supporter of the Prime Minister. And despite growing calls for Sir Keir to stand down, Mr Akehurst believes he should remain in power. 

The North Durham MP admitted the party suffered a “catastrophic wipeout” in the latest local elections, and that the Prime Minister is “not perfect”, “has made political mistakes”, and is “unpopular with voters”. 

But he warned any other Labour leader would face the same unprecedented electoral challenge against growing support for Reform UK. 

Mr Akehurst added: “I am a strong supporter of the Prime Minister and deplore any calls for a leadership contest.” 

Mary Kelly Foy, City of Durham 

Speaking on Monday, Ms Foy said that “apologies won’t cut it any longer” and called for the Prime Minister to step down.

She claimed “no one listened” to her various warnings about the state of the government impacting local election results both last year and this month. 

Ms Foy said: “I know I might disappoint some Labour members by saying this, but we’ve reached an existential crisis. Labour lies on its deathbed – with the only realistic cure being a change in direction and a change in leadership.

“The best thing that could happen now is for the Prime Minister to set out a clear timetable for his departure, and for the process of a fair and democratic leadership election to be agreed.” 

Lola McEvoy, Darlington 

The Labour MP stressed the importance of a stable economy and warned that changing leaders would cause further disruption. 

She said: “It’s obvious that we need to do better. Mistakes have been made, as the recent results of the local elections elsewhere brutally demonstrated.

“We need bold action to bring down the cost of living and we need to set out a clear vision for our country with fairness at the heart of it. I feel the urgency of the challenge we face and I am determined we meet it.

“I was elected as your MP for Darlington first and foremost on a promise of economic and political stability. 

“I have a duty to everyone in our town to protect your family finances as much as possible. Given this – and particularly because of the economic damage from the war in Iran – I cannot in good conscience add more instability by supporting a change in Prime Minister.”

Sam Rushworth, Bishop Auckland  

The MP continues to support Sir Keir after being elected in 2024. 

“I back the Prime Minister to turn things around,” he said on Tuesday. 

Mr Rushworth added: “No leadership election has been triggered, and he has a job to do. 

“One thing I do know about Keir: he won’t have spent the weekend worrying about his career; he’ll have been thinking of the country.”

Grahame Morris, Easington 

Has not commented. 

Alan Strickland, Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor 

Supports the Prime Minister and signed a letter saying it is “no time for a leadership contest” and the party should get on with winning back trust from the electorate.

Liz Twist, Blaydon and Consett

Supports the Prime Minister and signed a letter saying it is “no time for a leadership contest” and the party should get on with winning back trust from the electorate.

What are the other North East and North Yorkshire MPs saying? 

Ian Lavery – Blyth and Ashington – AGAINST 

Emma Foody – Cramlington and Killingworth – yet to comment directly on the Prime Minister’s future

Mark Ferguson – Gateshead Central and Whickham – yet to comment directly on the Prime Minister’s future

Jonathan Brash – Hartlepool – AGAINST 

Joe Morris – Hexham – AGAINST 

Bridget Phillipson – Houghton and Sunderland South – SUPPORT 

Kate Osborne – Jarrow and Gateshead East – AGAINST 

Andy McDonald – Middlesbrough and Thornaby East – AGAINST 

Luke Myer – Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland – AGAINST 

Chi Onwurah – Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West – yet to comment directly on the Prime Minister’s future

Catherine McKinnell – Newcastle upon Tyne North – AGAINST 

Mary Glindon – Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend – SUPPORT 

David Smith – North Northumberland – AGAINST 

Anna Turley – Redcar – SUPPORT 

Alison Hume – Scarborough and Whitby – SUPPORT

Emma Lewell – South Shields – yet to comment directly on the Prime Minister’s future

Chris McDonald – Stockton North – has not commented 

Lewis Atkinson – Sunderland Central – SUPPORT  

Alan Campbell – Tynemouth – has not commented 

Sharon Hodgson – Washington and Gateshead South – has not commented 

Do you think the Prime Minister should stand down? Let us know the comments.