Had enough already, Keir? Starmer dodges on whether he will lead Labour into the next election as unrest grows over Reform threat, immigration and benefits cuts
Keir Starmer dodged committing to lead Labour into the next election today amid mounting unrest on his benches.
The PM risked setting hares running by dodging questions over his intentions for the prospective 2029 contest.
Asked by GB News during a trip to Albania whether he would definitely seek another term in office, Sir Keir said: 'You're getting way ahead of me.'
He added: 'I'm absolutely clear that my task is to rebuild our country.'
Near-panic has been sparked in Labour ranks by Reform's astonishing surge in local elections on May 1.
Nigel Farage 's party picked up 10 councils and two mayoralties, as well as the previously safe Runcorn & Helsby constituency in a by-election.
Sir Keir has been under huge pressure to change course, but MPs are also up in arms about his efforts to curb immigration and cut the spiralling benefits bill.
The PM is bracing for a bruising showdown with his backbenchers on Monday evening, when he addresses the Parliamentary party.
Ed Miliband would lose his seat if the dramatic local election results were repeated in a Westminster contest, according to a new analysis.
Projections by Electoral Calculus suggest the Net Zero Secretary faces being among a blizzard of victims claimed by Reform.
It found Reform would have held on to its two existing seats, and picked up an extra 79.
Of those gains, 59 would have come from Labour, including Doncaster North, which has been held by Mr Miliband for two decades.
Reform would have won an overwhelming 46 per cent of the vote to Mr Miliband's 29 per cent.
The newcomers would also have scooped 19 seats from the Tories and one from the Lib Dems.
Shadow chancellor Mel Stride is among the projected casualties, giving up his Devon constituency to the Lib Dems.
Shadow environment secretary Victoria Atkins was seen as losing Louth and Horncastle to Reform by a huge 22-point margin.
Labour would also have shipped four seats to the Greens , while the Lib Dems were poised to add four previous Conservative strongholds to their tally.
Polls since the local elections have indicated Reform consolidating their advantage over the traditional main parties.
And Sir Keir has been struggling to contain a brewing Labour civil war over immigration and benefits. Backbenchers have broken cover condemning the PM's warning that Britain risks becoming an 'island of strangers' - forcing Downing Street to deny he was echoing Enoch Powell's 'Rivers of Blood' speech. And left-wingers have been threatening the 'mother of all rebellions' over planned cuts to benefits.
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The Independent
38 minutes ago
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44 minutes ago
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