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Why Starmer might not be ready to go just yet

Open rebellion means the Prime Minister's position is precarious. But there's a reason the knives haven't been drawn

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Zoe Grunewald and The Lead
Feb 05, 2026
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Sir Keir Starmer was under severe pressure in the Commons this week Pic: UK Parliament/Flickr

Sir Keir Starmer is facing the most serious crisis of his premiership. The Mandelson affair, the apology to Epstein’s victims, the open rebellion on the Commons floor, has left Labour MPs furious, and publicly unsure whether their leader can carry on. Even Starm…

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