‘What appears to be troubling the electorate is not the Government’s programme, but the Prime Minister himself’
Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer(Image: Getty Images)
The MP for Hull East, Karl Turner, has said voters have “made up their minds” about the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, following a dismal set of local elections for the Labour Party. Sir Keir is coming under increasing pressure to announce a plan for his departure from Downing Street, with many of his own MPs calling for him to stand down.
In Hull, the Labour Party only managed to keep hold of one of the eight seats they were defending at last week’s council elections. The poor results, which were mirrored in many places across the country, led the leader of the Hull Labour Group, Daren Hale, to call on Sir Keir to “do the right thing – and go.”
In a bid to save his premiership, the Prime Minister made a speech on Monday in which he vowed not to walk away from Number 10, which he claimed would “plunge the country into chaos.” In the speech he also announced plans to nationalise British Steel.
However, since then, more than 70 Labour MPs have urged Sir Keir to either resign immediately or draw up a timetable for his departure. This is just under 20 per cent of the party’s 403 MPs.
Karl Turner, the MP for Hull East, was suspended from the Labour Party earlier in the year, but has continued to show support for the party, for example attending Hull Labour’s local election campaign launch in April. Following Sir Keir’s speech, Mr Turner said: “The Prime Minister did his best, in difficult circumstances, to persuade the country that there is more to do and that his premiership is still capable of delivering the change people were promised.
“Unfortunately, the problem the Labour Party is experiencing is not simply frustration about the pace of change. Voters are already beginning to see some of Labour’s achievements, including stronger employment rights, increases to the minimum wage, expanded free childcare for children from nine months old, and other important social reforms such as free breakfast clubs for every primary school-aged child.
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“What appears to be troubling the electorate is not the Government’s programme, but the Prime Minister himself. Many voters seem to have already made up their minds about him, and it may prove difficult to change those perceptions. If that remains the case, Labour will face a significant challenge at the next general election unless there is a change in leadership before then.”
Hull’s two other MPs, Dame Diana Johnson and Emma Hardy both belong to the Labour Party. Dame Diana, the MP for Hull North and Cottingham, has called for stability, rather than the PM’s resignation. On X, she posted: “Under 2 years ago, Labour was elected with a 174 majority for a 5-year Parliament to restore stability, focus on the cost of living and start a decade of change. Wednesday’s King’s Speech will set out the next stage of that renewal. Last week showed why this should be our focus.”
Ms Hardy, the MP for Hull West and Haltemprice, has not made clear on which side of the ‘Starmer in or out’ debate she sits within the party. However, after Hull City Council’s local elections, which she described as “undeniably disappointing” for Labour, the MP said: “I’ve heard your comments and I’ve seen the results. I will reflect and act on them and do everything I can to deliver the change needed here in Hull.
“I will continue working as hard as ever to tackle the issues that matter most to you and I am always here if you need me. If you feel disappointed by the results too and want to get more involved you can sign up for my newsletter or message me for ways to get active.”
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