Reeves Says Labour Leadership Contest Would Plunge Country Into Chaos

Chancellor Rachel Reeves told the BBC that a Labour leadership contest would plunge the country into chaos as Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure to resign after last week's heavy election losses. Four government ministers resigned and dozens of Labour MPs urged Starmer to quit or set a timetable for an orderly exit following the party's losses of more than 1,100 English council seats, the end of its 27-year rule in Wales and a distant joint second place with Reform in Scotland.

Starmer told his cabinet he would focus on governing after no formal leadership challenge was triggered. Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned from his post in a letter shared on X, saying he had lost confidence in Starmer's leadership and that it would be dishonourable and unprincipled to remain in government.

Downing Street said Starmer maintains full confidence in Streeting despite the resignation and that the prime minister's position on fighting any leadership challenge has not changed.

Rayner, the former deputy prime minister, resolved her stamp duty affairs with HMRC after paying £40,000 in unpaid tax. An email from HMRC to her lawyers confirmed the matter is closed, she faces no penalty and took reasonable care based on expert advice.

Rayner said she welcomed HMRC's conclusion which cleared her of any wrongdoing and that she had paid every penny owed while acting in good faith. Her clearance removes one potential obstacle to a leadership bid after she had stepped down as deputy prime minister over the issue.

Johnson's father Stanley Johnson warned against ruthless assassinations in politics and said the country must come before party amid the Labour turmoil. The former MEP told GB News he saw the damage caused when the Conservative Party ousted his son Boris in 2022 and said he was horrified by the potential damage from any scenario other than Starmer staying in power.

"At this stage, you have to say what is good for the country," Johnson stated. "What is good for the country is not another great kerfuffle as we try to get a new Prime Minister. And it will be a worse outcome. " He added that Starmer is going to fight any challenge, has a de facto right to be a candidate and that he would put a little bit of money on him not losing.

“I saw what total damage the Tory party did to itself when it got rid of Boris. Other MPs expressed scepticism that Streeting has secured the numbers and noted frustration at the drawn-out process while he remains responsible for NHS performance in England. Health service data released showed the government hit its interim target with 65.3 percent of patients treated within 18 weeks in March 2026, reducing the waiting list from 7.2 million to 7.1 million. The main target remains 92 percent by the end of the parliament. Angela Rayner said she was not getting into hypotheticals about leadership. Around 160 Labour MPs have not publicly declared a view while more than 150 have indicated support for Starmer or said it is not the time for a contest. Nearly 90 have said he should go or set a timetable for departure. Labour backbencher Catherine West gave the cabinet an ultimatum to challenge Starmer's leadership or she would do so herself but has since been collecting names of MPs who want him to set a timetable for departure. Starmer delivered a major speech promising to tackle big challenges and prove doubters wrong. The party's rules mean MPs nominating one candidate cannot later switch to another if a contest is triggered. Speculation has also mentioned Andy Burnham seeking a parliamentary seat, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns as possible contenders if a race begins.”