News / Starmer alternatives ‘uninspiring’ as MP urges Labour to ‘get a grip’
THE LABOUR government has been urged to “get a grip” and stop trying to topple prime minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Shetland’s MP Alistair Carmichael told Shetland News that the best case for keeping Starmer was that the alternatives were “so entirely uninspiring”.
Numerous Labour MPs and junior ministers have called for Starmer to go after the Labour Party suffered crushing defeats in English council elections and in both the Welsh and Scottish parliamentary elections.
It is believed that some senior ministers may have urged Starmer to set out a timetable for his departure, something which he has so far resisted.
Contenders to replace him include health secretary Wes Streeting, former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and former Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.
It is not the first political challenge against Starmer’s leadership this year, with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar openly calling for him to go in February.
Northern Isles MP Carmichael said Starmer was supposed to “bring an end to the Tory psychodrama” of years previous when elected in just under two years ago.
“If Keir Starmer had one offer to the country in 2024 it was to bring an end to the Tory psychodrama and deliver boring, competent government,” the Liberal Democrat MP said.
“With a hefty majority in the House of Commons that really should not have been a difficult promise to deliver.
“Instead, two years on Starmer has brought his own chaos and infighting to the heart of government.”
However Carmichael said that the “best case” for keeping Starmer in charge was the lack of appealing options within his party.
“It speaks volumes that amongst 400-odd MPs elected in 2024 there are so few who can credibly put themselves forward now.
“Whatever your view of the prime minister or Labour, however, it is entirely counterproductive for the rest of us for our government to be at war with itself.
“One way or another the government has got to get a grip and start delivering on the issues that really matter. That is the least we all deserve from them.”
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