IT’S FAIR TO say that, as the list of names openly calling for him to resign grew and with potential leadership rivals seemingly circling, many thought Keir Starmer might be emerging from No 10 to announce his resignation yesterday. 

But 24 hours later, it feels as though the embattled British prime minister has managed to weather the storm.

Instead of a resignation speech, he instead issued a “put up or shut up” ultimatum to his cabinet. We then saw a number of ministers telling the waiting press corps on Downing Street that he had their support. A letter signed by over 100 MPs stating that this was no time for a leadership contest was also published later in the day. 

While four ministers did resign from his government, Starmer appointed their replacements last night in another sign that he was determined to get on with governing. 

So, is the heave over?

Well, no. It’s more that it’s been put on pause for the day that’s in it. 

The timing of the State Opening of Parliament has provided a breather for Starmer and brought on a truce - albeit a temporary one. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Today is the State Opening of Parliament – the formal start of the parliamentary year in the UK. It sees King Charles travel the short distance to the House of Lords to deliver his speech, which contains the government’s legislative agenda for the year ahead. 

It was reported yesterday that officials from Buckingham Palace asked Downing Street if Charles should proceed with today’s events, and made clear that the monarch must be seen to be impartial amid the chaos surrounding Starmer’s position. 

Commentators in the UK have said that it is unlikely that any challenges will be made against the Labour leader due to the risk of embarrassing the monarch or overshadowing his speech.

With Charles set to announce around 35 bills focused on the economy, energy, the EU and national security, Starmer will be hoping that setting out his plans for what he wants his government to achieve in the next 12 months will bring MPs back on side.

But before the king’s speech, Starmer is set for a showdown with his health secretary and likely leadership rival Wes Streeting in Downing Street.

Wes Streeting and Keir Starmer in January 2025. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Political analysts in the UK have said that while it had been thought that Streeting would move against Starmer yesterday, it now looks doubtful that he has the numbers for a leadership bid. Some of the British papers are reporting that he’s bottled it. 

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Streeting is in a bind. He doesn’t want to be the first to challenge Starmer. If he does go for it, he risks losing and putting a dent in his political career. If he doesn’t, he risks alienating his supporters within the Labour Party. Three of the four ministers that resigned yesterday were Streeting’s allies. 

Elsewhere, it still remains to be seen whether Andy Burnham is going to throw his hat in the ring.

He, of course, still needs to win a byelection to get a seat in the House of Commons before he can challenge Starmer – something those close to the prime minister believe is working in his favour for now. “Andy’s supporters keep saying he’s got a seat. But where is it? It’s not real unless he has one,” one Starmer ally told The Guardian this morning. 

But Burnham is said to be focused on returning to parliament, and political commentators say that while the left of the party await his return, they’re sticking with Starmer for the time being. It means a drawn-out contest is still on the table. 

In short, the State Opening of Parliament has given Starmer a bit of a reprieve, but it’s almost certain that we can expect more moves against him tomorrow. Just how long he can hold on remains to be seen.