Cabinet backs UK PM as House ‘test’ looms

London: Senior Cabinet ministers on Sunday rallied around PM Keir Starmer, whose leadership is teetering over the decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to the US. Starmer will fight for his job in Parliament on Monday following revelations that Mandelson was given the role despite failing security checks.

The PM maintains he was not told in January 2025 vetting had recommended against Mandelson’s clearance. While the Foreign Office cleared the appointment anyway, the fallout has led to the resignation of top civil servant Olly Robbins. Allies like Dy PM David Lammy and Technology Secretary Liz Kendall insist Starmer would never have proceeded had he known the facts. However, critics suggest the appointment reflects a serious lack of judgment.

Opposition leaders, including Kemi Badenoch and Ed Davey, have called for the PM to step down, citing a “perpetual crisis”. Within the Labour Party, lawmakers are concerned about dire poll ratings ahead of May 7 local polls. While some fear changing leaders during global instability would be damaging, others point to Starmer’s struggle to deliver economic growth and repair public services since his July 2024 win. Starmer must convince own party he remains the right person to lead the country through this political storm.