Starmer will not set timetable to step down, says deputy amid Labour leadership pressure

London: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will not set out a timetable for leaving office despite growing pressure within the Labour Party following weak local election results, his deputy David Lammy said on Monday.

Lammy told Sky News that there would be “no timetable for departure,” adding that he had spoken with the Prime Minister twice on Sunday.

The comments come after Labour’s losses in the May 7 local elections triggered calls from nearly a quarter of Labour MPs for Starmer to step down, while potential leadership challengers have begun positioning themselves.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who recently resigned from government, has said he would contest any leadership race, while Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is also seen as a possible contender if he returns to Parliament.

Despite internal pressure, Starmer has reiterated that he intends to resist any leadership challenge. Under Labour Party rules, a contest could be triggered if 81 MPs nominate an alternative candidate, equivalent to 20% of the party’s parliamentary members.