Cumbrian MP Calls for New Labour Leader to Replace Sir Keir Starmer
A Cumbrian Member of Parliament has publicly called for Sir Keir Starmer to step aside as Labour leader, becoming one of more than 40 Labour backbench MPs expressing dissatisfaction with the party’s current direction.
The MP for Penrith and Solway, Markus Campbell-Savours, said he believes the Prime Minister’s leadership is no longer working and suggested that the Labour Party urgently needs a new direction following disappointing results in recent local elections.
In a public statement, he described Sir Keir Starmer as “a decent, principled and kind man,” but added that his leadership had become “untenable.” He said it was important for MPs to “have the courage to say publicly what many have said privately for months.”
The comments come amid growing unrest within Labour ranks following heavy losses across council elections nationwide, which have intensified internal debate over the party’s leadership and future strategy.
Campbell-Savours emphasised that loyalty to the party should also include accountability to voters and to councillors who lost their seats. He argued that Labour now needs leadership with “a credible vision, clear direction, purpose and ambition.”
His intervention adds to a widening list of Labour MPs who have either called for Sir Keir Starmer to resign or urged a leadership change. Some party members have also suggested that the leadership issue reflects broader concerns about policy direction and public confidence.
Despite the pressure, Sir Keir Starmer has indicated he intends to remain in post and continue leading the party, insisting he is focused on rebuilding trust and delivering change following the election setbacks.
The internal debate within Labour continues to intensify, with speculation growing over possible leadership contenders and whether further MPs may publicly join calls for a change at the top.
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