Starmer to meet Streeting on Wednesday as leadership crisis divides Labour

The uncertainty over Sir Keir's job security is an awkward backdrop to the King's Speech.

The King's Speech is expected to include more than 35 bills and draft bills, including immigration, NHS and police reforms, along with a route to potentially nationalising British Steel.

But whether Sir Keir remains prime minister long enough to deliver the legislation promised is an open question in Westminster.

A day of political drama on Tuesday started with the cabinet meeting at which Sir Keir pushed aside calls for him to resign.

A government source told the BBC that at the cabinet meeting Sir Keir told colleagues he would not discuss the election results or his leadership, and would only speak to cabinet ministers about those topics "individually".

The BBC understands several cabinet ministers tried to talk to Sir Keir about his leadership after the cabinet meeting but he declined to speak to them.

In a speech aimed at steadying his tottering premiership on Monday, Sir Keir said "incremental change won't cut it" as he promised to "face up to the big challenges" the country faced.

But it was not enough to win over Phillips, who resigned as safeguarding minister.

In her letter, Phillips said "real change" in her role "usually came from threats made by me in light of catastrophic mistakes".

"I think you are a good man fundamentally, who cares about the right things however I have seen first-hand how that is not enough," Phillips said.

"The desire not to have an argument means we rarely make an argument, leaving opportunities for progress stalled and delayed."

Signing off her letter, Phillips said: "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."

Phillips' departure followed Miatta Fahnbulleh's resignation as minister for devolution, faith and communities.

She told the prime minister "to do the right thing for the country and the party and set a timetable for an orderly transition".

Alex Davies-Jones also resigned as minister for victims and violence against women and girls.

She called for "bold, radical action" and similarly urged Sir Keir to set out a timetable for his departure.

Zubir Ahmed was the fourth minister to quit on Tuesday, telling Sir Keir his resignation letter that the public had "irretrievably lost confidence in you as prime minister" and "continuation in office is wholly untenable".

Nesil Caliskan, Natalie Fleet, Catherine Atkinson and Preet Kaur Gill have been appointed as government ministers to replace those who resigned, while Gen Kitchen, Deirdre Costigan and Shaun Davies have been appointed as Labour whips.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said Sir Keir had his "full support", as he urged colleagues calling for him to resign to "step back".

"No one seems to have the names to stand up against Keir Starmer, and for those who are suggesting that he should stand down, they should say which candidate would be better," Lammy said.

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