Labour MP Catherine West has issued a challenge to a Cabinet member, daring Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to take action against Prime Minister Keir Starmer on live television. Phillipson had earlier dismissed West’s call for the Cabinet to select a new leader by Monday.
West has put Cabinet members on notice, warning that if they do not remove Starmer, she will step in herself. She has indicated that she would need support from 81 Labour MPs to make a leadership bid but plans to wait to hear Starmer’s crucial speech on Monday before making a decision.
During a TV appearance on BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, West questioned why senior women were not stepping up to challenge for leadership, emphasizing the importance of strong leadership in the upcoming years.
Responding to West’s challenge, Phillipson expressed disagreement but acknowledged the concerns within the party following recent setbacks. She emphasized the need for Labour to modernize and criticized the party for appearing outdated.
Phillipson affirmed her support for Starmer to lead Labour into the next general election, highlighting the party’s opportunity to deliver positive change for the country. The focus now shifts to potential leadership contenders like Wes Streeting and Angela Rayner to see if they will take action following West’s intervention.
