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Labour's plot to finish Keir Starmer off for good exposed after hammering humiliation
Reach Daily Express | May 9, 2026 3:39 AM CST

Sir Keir Starmer is facing a growing revolt inside Labour after disastrous local election results sparked claims that MPs are already plotting his removal.

In the latest episode of the Daily Expresso podcast, Daily Express political editor Martyn Brown and associate editor James Walker painted a bleak picture for the Prime Minister following heavy Labour losses and a dramatic surge for Reform UK. Walker declared: "Keir Starmer is completely cooked. Let me be clear. These are really tough results. Well, Keir, let me be clear. You are done."

The comments came as Labour lost more than 400 council seats at the time of recording, while Reform UK gained more than 600 seats and seized control of several councils across the country.

Brown described the results as "absolutely apocalyptic for Labour", adding: "Nigel Farage has just come in and planted a massive flag in Labour heartlands."

The pair claimed anger inside Westminster is now reaching boiling point, with Labour MPs allegedly preparing to demand a timetable for Starmer's departure as early as next week.

Walker said: "The thinking is they'll come back from the weekend and go, 'Right, Starmer, we want a timetable off you. When are you going to go and how?'"

According to Brown, many MPs are expected to wait for Starmer's planned "reset" speech on Monday before deciding whether to openly move against him.

Brown said: "That could be the moment when one of those four sticks their head up above the parapet and kind of makes a push for the top job."

The podcast also discussed speculation surrounding potential successors, with Andy Burnham, Angela Rayner, Wes Streeting and Ed Miliband all mentioned among the bookmakers' favourites.

Brown claimed Burnham's decision to cancel a planned speech in Manchester shortly before the election fallout intensified had raised eyebrows inside Labour circles.

Meanwhile, veteran Labour MP Diane Abbott unexpectedly defended Starmer staying on for now.

Brown joked: "When Diane Abbott's your saviour, you know you're in real trouble."

The podcast also highlighted Reform UK's extraordinary gains, with Brown describing the party's performance as a "turquoise wave across the country".

Reform made breakthroughs in traditional Labour strongholds including Wakefield, while also taking major Tory territory in Essex.

Brown said: "These results are massive for Reform. They've seized Labour heartlands and Tory heartlands."

The discussion turned to Reform leader Nigel Farage, who described the elections as a "historic shift in British politics".

The podcast also examined growing pressure on Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch despite some Tory successes in London.

Starmer has so far insisted he has no plans to resign, despite admitting the election results were "really tough" and saying he takes "full responsibility".

The Prime Minister is expected to deliver a major speech on Monday as speculation over his political future intensifies.


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