Topic

MPs Back Starmer After Revelations

7m

Keir Starmer refused to resign as UK prime minister amid revelations about former diplomat Peter Mandelson’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein, and Labour MPs rallied behind him.

by Tim Bale Reposted by Tim Newburn

135%
Without a clearer sense of direction, Labour's doomed. So, by far the best thing that these two could do now would be to stop worrying about how best to become PM if and when Starmer eventually goes and instead think really, really hard about what they would do were they chosen to replace him.
February 10, 2026 at 7:17 AM
42%
Secretary Howard Lutnick lied to the country about his ties to Epstein.

Now we learned that they were in business together.

He has no business being our Commerce Secretary.

He should resign.
www.politico.com/live-updates...
Howard Lutnick faces bipartisan calls to resign over latest Epstein revelations
Recently disclosed records suggest a closer relationship than the Commerce secretary previously indicated.
www.politico.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:19 PM
44%
Getting really tired of "this is all a media concoction"...

Starmer has the lowest approval rating of any PM in history bar Truss. Senior ministers are openly and unsubtly positioning. His Chief of Staff, Director of Comms and Cab Sec have all resigned on the same day.

I mean come on...
February 9, 2026 at 10:32 PM
81%
Yes, this is bang on. And they need to make sure it’s pretty radical or no-one will notice or care (sadly).
Without a clearer sense of direction, Labour's doomed. So, by far the best thing that these two could do now would be to stop worrying about how best to become PM if and when Starmer eventually goes and instead think really, really hard about what they would do were they chosen to replace him.
February 10, 2026 at 9:48 AM
61%
The Guardian today claims Starmer’s leadership is in peril and in tumult after McSweeney‘s departure. But it was anyway, and if McSweeney’s exit is accompanied by those of others and a change of approach then this tumult might be something many in the party have been wanting for quite some.
February 10, 2026 at 6:24 AM
62%
What we may soon find out, potentially leading to a resignation over a false statement by the PM, is that Starmer & McSweeney appointed Mandelson NOT out of ignorance, but BECAUSE his presence in Epstein network made him someone Trump could trust.
theconversation.com/how-much-tro...
How much trouble is Keir Starmer in?
MPs are furious at the prime minister – but no leadership contender is ready to mount a challenge.
theconversation.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:55 AM
108%
They won't, obviously. But still....
Without a clearer sense of direction, Labour's doomed. So, by far the best thing that these two could do now would be to stop worrying about how best to become PM if and when Starmer eventually goes and instead think really, really hard about what they would do were they chosen to replace him.
February 10, 2026 at 7:52 AM
60%
Who knows? Perhaps Mandelson has inadvertently performed one last service to the Labour Party ?
The Guardian today claims Starmer’s leadership is in peril and in tumult after McSweeney‘s departure. But it was anyway, and if McSweeney’s exit is accompanied by those of others and a change of approach then this tumult might be something many in the party have been wanting for quite some.
February 10, 2026 at 6:56 AM
40%
39%
"It can’t be long before a couple of cleaners also resign because they too feel a bit guilty about not warning Starmer that they had misgivings about Mandelson."
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Futile resignations and blatant revisionism to the fore as Starmer staggers on | John Crace
The same cabinet ministers who failed to speak up for the PM in the morning were soon offering their undying support
www.theguardian.com
February 10, 2026 at 7:26 AM
33%
The end game

Scottish Labour leader calls for Keir Starmer to step down, saying the 'distraction needs to end'.

Starmer is an electoral liability. Likely successors taking soundings in Westminster.

The next leader must not come from the Starmer camp.
Scottish Labour leader calls for Keir Starmer to step down, saying the 'distraction needs to end'
Anas Sarwar says
www.bbc.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 3:26 PM

Reposted by Patrick Dunleavy

38%
The John Curtice verdict as Anas Sarwar calls for Keir Starmer to quit
www.thenational.scot/news/2583962...
February 10, 2026 at 8:23 AM
49%
Genuine news headline from Germany: “British PM Starmer survives Monday, politically”. 😂
Den Montag hat der britische Premier Starmer politisch überlebt
Für Keir Starmer war der Start in die Woche eine politische Achterbahnfahrt. Dabei ging es nicht nur um die Beziehung seines Ex-Botschafters zu Jeffrey Epstein. Denn die Unzufriedenheit mit dem britischen Premier geht tiefer. Von C. Prössl.
www.tagesschau.de
February 10, 2026 at 9:12 AM
71%
Starmer Under Pressure to Resign as Prime Minister of Britain
Leader of the Scottish Labour Party called on Mr. Starmer to stand down, saying that political turmoil over an ambassador with close ties to Jeffrey Epstein had become a “huge distraction.”

www.nytimes.com/live/2026/02...
Live Updates: Keir Starmer Under Pressure to Resign as Prime Minister of Britain
www.nytimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:47 PM
66%
Yup. I was opposed to Mandelson's appointment. Daft decision. Especially because S has made enormous strides in the right direction
Is not Starmer’s problem that this Mandelson affair undermines his main selling point as someone who was going to restore probity and respect in public life and, as you neatly put it, provide government we needn’t be ashamed of?
February 10, 2026 at 9:36 AM

Reposted by Patrick Dunleavy

38%
I have been watching #bbcnews (in the background) for nearly two hours, speculating about water Starmer would resign - even though he won't, But I have yet to hear a single word about whether #anassarwar has just destroyed his career with a catastrophically mistimed piece of attention seeking.
February 10, 2026 at 9:07 AM

Reposted by Patrick Dunleavy

38%
Labour MPs come out in support of Keir Starmer, so obviously that's not good enough for BBC, and so they went out and asked the good old public whether they think he should go. Trying once again to force an early General Election knowing that Reform won't be riding anywhere near as high come 2029.
February 10, 2026 at 8:41 AM

Reposted by Gary Sheffield

22%
Of course Starmer has made mistakes but his mistakes didn't cost 20,000 lives, destroy our public services, leave our armed forces living in squalid housing, make us a laughing stock on the global stage and ruin our relationship with the EU. 14 years of misrule can't be fixed in 19 months.
February 10, 2026 at 9:23 AM
74%
I don't think they realise just how ridiculous and morally compromised use of X makes them look. Honestly not sure they even have a sense of that.
Not today's main point, but I do find it odd that ministers are signalling their support of Keir Starmer - pretty important as their silence is interpreted as a sign they might quit and force him to resign! - by... posting on X.

You know, the site condemned for being an AI porn hellscape last month
February 9, 2026 at 4:25 PM
39%
EXCL: Chris Wormald, the most senior civil servant in Downing Street, is negotiating his exit as part of a wider shakeup of Keir Starmer’s operation after dramatic day - @kiranstacey.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Top civil servant could become third key No 10 departure in days
Exclusive: Cabinet secretary Chris Wormald is expected to follow Morgan McSweeney and Tim Allan out the door
www.theguardian.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:42 PM