Cabinet Ministers Declare Support For Starmer As PM Fights For Survival
Cabinet ministers have pledged their support for Keir Starmer as the prime minister fights for his political survival.
In a clearly co-cordinated operation, a succession of senior government ministers took to social media to make clear they do not want the PM to resign.
It came as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar was calling on Starmer to quit over the Peter Mandelson scandal engulfing No.10.
The UK’s former ambassador to Washington is facing a police investigation over allegations he passed market sensitive information to the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein when he was business secretary between 2008 and 2010.
Sarwar said: “The distraction needs to end and the leadership in Downing Street has to change.”
The incendiary move led to speculation that cabinet ministers could resign in order to force the PM out.
But one after another, they posted messages on X making clear they believe he should stay in his post.
Rebuilding Britain takes time. But thanks to the decisions we've made NHS waiting lists are falling. Inflation is falling. Interest rates are falling. The conditions for the economy to grow are there.
— Rachel Reeves (@RachelReevesMP) February 9, 2026
With Keir as our Prime Minister we are turning the country around.
Keir Starmer won a massive mandate 18 months ago, for five years to deliver on Labour’s manifesto that we all stood on.
— David Lammy (@DavidLammy) February 9, 2026
We should let nothing distract us from our mission to change Britain and we support the Prime Minister in doing that.
Keir led our party to victory and won a mandate for change. Waiting lists are falling, wages are rising, new rights for renters and leaseholders. We need to stay the course and deliver the change this country voted for.
— Steve Reed (@SteveReedMP) February 9, 2026
Statement: pic.twitter.com/hB6WyI9RfF
— Douglas Alexander (@D_G_Alexander) February 9, 2026
As someone said to me in the constituency on Friday "tell your boss to keep going."
— Pat McFadden (@patmcfaddenmp) February 9, 2026
I did and I hope he does. ????
Now is the time for calm heads and seriousness of purpose. That is why the Prime Minister has my full support.
— Hilary Benn (@hilarybennmp) February 9, 2026
Keir has earned the right to deliver the change he has promised and do what he cares about - which is to serve the country.
— Ed Miliband (@Ed_Miliband) February 9, 2026
This is not the time for the government to turn inwards on itself. We must focus on delivering the change we promised the country.
The British public gave Keir a huge mandate only 18 months ago.
— John Healey (@JohnHealey_MP) February 9, 2026
They wanted a Labour government. They want us to deliver the change we promised. They expect us to get on with the job.
The PM has my fullest support in leading this government and this country.
Later this week, Keir Starmer will lead our delegation to the Munich Security Conference. At this crucial time for the world, we need his leadership not just at home but on the global stage, and we need to keep our focus where it matters, on keeping our country safe.
— Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) February 9, 2026
I back Keir Starmer as Prime Minister. The economy is growing, let's focus on delivering for the British people.
— Peter Kyle (@peterkyle) February 9, 2026
I respect @anassarwar but he is wrong. Keir led our party to a General Election victory 18 months ago and he is the right person for the job in difficult circumstances. The public want us to fix the country’s problems, not fixate on ourselves.
— Heidi Alexander MP (@Heidi_Labour) February 9, 2026
The battle for Britain in the years ahead is between a modern, diverse Britain led by Labour or a dark, divisive Britain under Reform.
— Darren Jones MP (@darrenpjones) February 9, 2026
All of us in the Labour Party must get behind the Prime Minister, rise to the challenge and deliver a richer, fairer and stronger future.
Keir turned around the Labour Party after one of our worst defeats in 2019. He won a huge mandate at the last general election and is leading a government that is delivering on our promise of change to the British public. Nothing should distract from that.
— Emma Reynolds for Wycombe ???? (@EmmaforWycombe) February 9, 2026
— Bridget Phillipson (@bphillipsonMP) February 9, 2026
We were elected just eighteen months ago to fundamentally change this country and improve lives after more than a decade of decline.
— Lisa Nandy MP (@lisanandy) February 9, 2026
The Prime Minister is right to take that obligation seriously and he has my full support as he works in difficult circumstances to deliver.
Keir Starmer is a good, decent man with public service running through his veins. He came into politics for all the right reasons. He’s defied the naysayers many time and he’ll do so again. He’s changing and renewing our country and has restored it’s reputation across the world.
— Jo Stevens (@JoStevensLabour) February 9, 2026
The Prime Minister has my full support and is delivering the change the country voted for.
— Jonathan Reynolds (@jreynoldsMP) February 9, 2026
He won a mandate to serve working people and the country and we must continue to deliver on the progress we’ve already made.
Resorting to infighting now does not serve the country.
The PM won a five year mandate from the British people just 18 months ago.
— Shabana Mahmood MP (@ShabanaMahmood) February 9, 2026
Labour governments don't come along often. It is a privilege to serve in one and we must not waste a second.
The PM has my full support. Let's get on with changing the country for the better.
Angela Rayner, who was forced to resign as deputy PM last year and is seen as a frontrunner to replace Starmer if he goes, also called on Labour MPs to back him.
I urge all my colleagues to come together, remember our values and put them into practice as a team. The Prime Minister has my full support in leading us to that end. 3/3
— Angela Rayner (@AngelaRayner) February 9, 2026
Another MP who has been mentioned as a potential replacement for Starmer, armed forces minister Al Carns, also backed the PM.
Keir Starmer has spent his career serving our country. Being the Prime Minister is the hardest job in politics - there are no easy days but our country needs stability.
— Al Carns (@AlistairCarns) February 9, 2026
Integrity, duty and resilience are the foundations of serious leadership.
The PM is a genuinely good man and…
Labour deputy leader Lucy Powell – who was sacked in the last cabinet reshuffle – and party chair Anna Turley also posted their support for the prime minister on X.
I will be sitting alongside Keir Starmer at the PLP this evening as Deputy Leader with my full support.
— Lucy Powell MP (@LucyMPowell) February 9, 2026
He and I have been discussing in recent days, and before, how we need to do better to take the fight to Reform (as we are doing in Gorton & Denton) and by showing we are on…
— Anna Turley MP (@annaturley) February 9, 2026