South Yorkshire MPs calling on Keir Starmer to quit after disastrous election showing for Labour
Around 80 Labour MPs across the country have called on the Prime Minister to go
Last updated 12th May 2026
Around 80 Labour MPs have now called on the Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to resign, including several representing parts of South Yorkshire.
The cabinet, including names like Barnsley North's Dan Jarvis and Rawmarsh's John Healey, have remained united around the PM for now, despite big losses for Labour in the local elections
The party performed poorly in South Yorkshire, with Reform UK winning a majority in Barnsley and Labour also losing ground in Sheffield.
Several Sheffield MPs, including Clive Betts (Sheffield South East), have called for a 'timetable' for Keir to step down.
In a social media post he wrote: "I cannot stand by and see good hard working councillors and candidates lose due to no fault of their own."
"On the doorstep I was repeatedly told by voters that they would not vote Labour until the prime minister was replaced. We cannot ignore that.
"Over the weekend, I called for a timetable for Keir to hand over power so we can press ahead under new leadership, and I restate that call now.
"We cannot go on like this. We must show we are listening to the public and above all we must pursue change to rebuild the social contract we all have with the state and show the country can work for everyone."
Former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh (Sheffield Heeley) has also backed calls for a new leader, as has Sheffield Central's Abtisam Mohamed, who wrote:
“We need leadership that brings people together. The Prime Minister should now agree a clear transition and timeline for new leadership can do that.
"I came into politics to fight for real change and that hasn’t changed, but I won’t follow blindly.”
Doncaster MPs, including Lee Pitcher and Sally Jameson, are among those calling for clarity around the leadership, with Jameson writing:
“It is with regret that I now feel that the Prime Minister should set out a clear timetable for his departure in September or shortly after.”