Labour Shake-Up: Nadia Whittome Calls for Keir Starmer to Quit as PM and Leader
Labour’s own Nadia Whittome has thrown down the gauntlet. The 29-year-old Nottingham East MP publicly demanded Sir Keir Starmer step aside as both Prime Minister and Labour leader. Speaking on the Ali Milani Live podcast on November 21, 2025, Whittome tore into Starmer’s leadership, branding his position “untenable” and his credibility beyond repair.
“I think it’s clear we’re way beyond that point now,” Whittome said. “Even if Keir Starmer had a radical change of direction, I don’t think people would believe him, and I don’t think the people around him would allow that to happen. So I think there has to be a change in leadership, a change in personnel in Number 10, and a completely different direction for the party.”
Backbench Revolt Gathers Pace as Polls Crash for Labour
Whittome’s damning critique follows Norwich South MP Clive Lewis’ own call for Starmer to quit. Lewis even offered up his parliamentary seat in a bid to clear the way for Andy Burnham to challenge for Labour’s top job. In a blistering appearance on Channel 4 News, Lewis described Starmer’s position as “untenable” and demanded urgent action from party bigwigs.
- Labour’s latest YouGov ratings hit a miserable 22%
- Starmer’s personal approval rating plummets to -54%
- Budget jitters and a 32-MP rebellion over migration reforms deepen the crisis
Left-Wing MPs Fan the Flames as Party Divisions Worsen
Whittome, elected in 2019 on the back of a solid majority, has long opposed Starmer’s centrist stance. She has savaged his policies on Gaza, welfare cuts, and recent migration reforms. In October, she slammed Labour’s approach to migration as “shameful” and “dystopian,” accusing Starmer’s team of stripping rights from vulnerable people.
The Tribune Group — representing over 80 soft-left Labour MPs — reportedly feels its patience is “wearing thin” amid dismal poll numbers consistently below 20%. No formal leadership challenge has emerged, however, as factional rifts stall any united action.
Starmer’s Camp Dismisses Dissent as Fringe Trouble
Starmer’s allies paint the backbench unrest as a small, predictable faction. Health Secretary Wes Streeting called Clive Lewis’ offer to quit his own seat “peculiar” and “self-serving,” insisting Labour remains solid behind its leader. Yet, Reform UK surges at 28% in polls, with Greens rising to 12%, signalling Labour’s struggle goes beyond internal rowdiness.
Andy Burnham, touted as a possible challenger, sidestepped leadership questions entirely. The Greater Manchester mayor criticised Westminster politics and claimed, “I don’t know what the future holds,” leaving the door open to a future bid.
Labour’s Critical Crossroads Ahead of May 2026 Local Elections
Labour now faces a make-or-break test in the May 2026 local elections. A poor showing could ignite a full-scale leadership crisis, with firebrands like Whittome turning up the pressure. Despite loud calls for Starmer’s exit, no resignations have dropped so far.
With two MPs publicly demanding Starmer step down in recent days, whispers of wider backbench revolt grow louder. Labour’s future hangs by a thread as plummeting polls, Budget troubles, and bitter party infighting converge.
