斯特里廷(中)被指将挑战斯塔默(左)的党首职位。
斯特里廷(中)被指将挑战斯塔默(左)的党首职位。

Facing Power Struggle, Starmer Tries to Fend Off Intra-Party Challenges

Published at May 14, 2026 03:10 pm
UK Prime Minister Starmer, during a meeting with government officials at his parliamentary office on the 13th, urged them not to plunge the Labour Party into "chaos" by initiating leadership challenges.

UK Sky News quoted Starmer as saying that if a Labour leadership challenge were to occur, it would "absolutely cause chaos."

Earlier that day, The Times quoted sources close to UK Health and Social Care Secretary Streeting, reporting that Streeting is prepared to resign to run for Labour Party leader. He could resign as early as the 14th and has already begun preparing to secure the support of Labour MPs in the House of Commons.

According to Labour Party internal rules, in order to launch a leadership challenge, an MP must obtain the support of 81 Labour MPs in the House of Commons, including themselves.

Due to Labour's disastrous defeat in local elections, Starmer has been thrown into a governance crisis in recent days. On the 12th, several Parliamentary Under-Secretaries from government departments handed in their resignations to force his hand, but at the same time, multiple cabinet ministers expressed support for Starmer.

Scottish National Party to Push Forward No-Confidence Motion

In addition, the Scottish National Party announced it would push a no-confidence motion in the UK Parliament to decide whether Starmer should remain Prime Minister.

UK Sky News quoted a statement from the party's new House of Commons leader Docherty, saying that this "leadership farce" must end immediately so that Parliament can focus on truly important issues, and the only way is for Starmer to step down.

The statement said: "He has already lost the trust of voters and of his own party MPs, and this trust cannot be restored. Labour must stop delaying this crisis and bring it to an end immediately."

However, the party only holds 9 seats out of the 650 in the House of Commons. 

Author

联合日报newsroom


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