Labour MP says Starmer must go before year is out

One of the latest in a growing list of Labour MPs calling on the prime minister to step down has said Sir Keir Starmer's speech didn't suggest "anything close to the scale of change needed to rebuild communities like mine".

Lorraine Beavers who represents Blackpool North and Fleetwood said she had "spent the weekend listening to my constituents, local party members and local councillors" and said "they are as fed up as I am."

Starmer gave a speech this morning at a press conference where he set out his future plans and acknowledged "mistakes were made".

Beavers wants the Prime Minister to set out a timetable in which he would hand power to a newly elected Labour leader "by the end of 2026".

The BBC has counted at least 44 so far have called for Starmer to resign – that is roughly 10% of all Labour MPs.

Also joining them is long-time supporter of the prime minister, Sarah Smith MP.

Smith represents Hyndburn and said she had "regretfully concluded he is unable to lead us into future elections" saying Labour was in the "fight of our lives, for our communities and for our country."

She described Sir Keir as "a good man who succeed where others have failed."

But said that despite "an impressive list of achievements, the huge losses we suffered last week sent a clear message that is is time for new leadership to take us forward."

Beavers believes that there must also now be a "democratic contest, involving the most talented leaders from across our movement" to find his replacement.

She said: "A cabinet appointment without consulting the wider party and Labour movement, would risk repeating the same mistakes already made."