Minister Jess Phillips resigns from Keir Starmer's cabinet

Phillips' resignation comes following a tough day for Starmer, who earlier lost Housing, Communities and Local Government Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh from his cabinet.

Phillips announced her resignation this afternoon after Sir Keir told his Cabinet that he would not step down despite a mounting Labour backlash.

In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, she said that she could not continue to serve as a minister “under the current leadership”.

Phillips, who is a close ally of potential leadership challenger, Wes Streeting, said: “Labour governments come around rarely is the constant refrain at the moment.

"It’s true they are precious.

"Every Labour Government in my and my family’s lifetime has forged progress that changes our country and the world for the better.

“I know you care deeply but deeds, not words are what matter. I’m not sure we are grasping this rare opportunity with the gusto that’s needed and I cannot keep waiting around for a crisis to push for faster progress.

“Decency is vital, calm curiosity is also needed, but so too are fight and drive required... I want a Labour Government to work and I will strive as I always have for its success and popularity, but I’m not seeing the change I think I and the country expect, and so cannot continue to serve as a minister under the current leadership.”

EXCLUSIVE: Jess Phillips, safeguarding minister, resigns from govt. “The desire not to have an argument means we rarely make an argument..." pic.twitter.com/cC6hGFL1Rl

— Beth Rigby (@BethRigby) May 12, 2026

Speculation about the Prime Minister’s future has been intensifying since Thursday’s elections.

Labour lost almost 1,500 English councillors, went backwards in Scotland and slumped to third place in Wales.

In a speech in central London on Monday, Sir Keir said he took “responsibility” for the losses but would fight on and cast the current political moment as a “battle for the soul” of the UK, warning that if Labour failed, the country would head down “a very dark path”.

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Miatta Fahnbulleh resigns

Earlier today, Housing, Communities and Local Government Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh resigned.

She told Sir Keir Starmer “to do the right thing for the country and the Party and set a timetable for an orderly transition”.

In her resignation letter, Ms Fahnbulleh argued that Labour has not governed with the "vision, pace and ambition that our mandate for change demands of us", and criticised the Prime Minister for decisions that have eroded public trust.