Tuesday 12 May 2026 7:50 am
Starmer Cabinet ally ducks question on Prime Minister’s future
By: Samuel Norman, Senior City Reporter
The Prime Minister’s chief secretary and one of his closest allies has refused to confirm whether Sir Keir Starmer will be the one leading the Labour Party into the next election.
Cabinet minister Darren Jones said on Tuesday morning: “Obviously colleagues are asking the prime minister to consider different options in the future, and as I say, he rightfully is listening to them. It would be wrong if he wasn’t listening to them.”
When asked directly whether Starmer will still be in Number 10 come the next election, Jones said: “I’m not going to get ahead of any decision that the Prime Minister may or may not make.”
The comments mark a major tone shift from Starmer over the weekend, who pledged he would not “walk away” and set his sights on a decade of government.
On Monday the 10-year yield on UK gilts – a key signal for the government’s cost to borrow – rose over nine basis points past the five per cent mark as political instability rattled the market.
It comes after over 70 members of the Labour party have now called for Sir Keir Starmer to resign following a disastrous local elections performance.
Reports have also grown that multiple cabinet members, including Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, are now calling for the Prime Minister to set out a timetable for his departure.
Starmer will meet with the cabinet later this morning as his position comes under further scrutiny.
This is a breaking news story – more to follow.
