Starmer latest: More than 100 Labour MPs urge PM not to resign after ministers join revolt

As his woes deepen by the hour, one of the reasons he is still in place is that the path to No 10 will not be an easy one for any of his would-be challengers.

From links to disgraced former Labour grandee Peter Mandelson to a tax scandal, here we look at the potential difficulties each of the main contenders faces.

A planned meeting between the prime minister and union leaders on Tuesday has been cancelled.

Leaders of the unions affiliated to Labour – the so-called Tulo group – had been invited to Downing Street for a late afternoon meeting.

But a few hours before it was due to be held, the meeting was cancelled.

A statement understood to have been signed by more than 100 Labour MPs backing Sir Keir Starmer urges colleagues to start “working together” and says this is “no time for a leadership contest”.

The statement seen by the Press Association says: “Last week we had a devastatingly tough set of election results. It shows we have a hard job ahead to win back trust from the electorate.

“That job needs to start today – with all of us working together to deliver the change the country needs.

“We must focus on that. This is no time for a leadership contest.”

One more unexpected name emerging from this afternoons leadership chaos is armed forces minister Al Carns.

Reports suggest the former Royal Marine is preparing a bid for the premiership – but will only pull the trigger if the prime minister resigns first.

Heidi Alexander has reiterated her “full support” for Sir Keir Starmer and slapped down suggestions that she is backing plans for Andy Burnham to return to Parliament.

The Transport secretary wrote on X: “There’s a lot of nonsense flying around at the moment.

“The PM has my full support in getting on with the job. The only trains I’ve ever spoken to Andy about are those which will run on Northern Powerhouse Rail.”

Downing Street said ministers had agreed that the “number one priority remains getting the Strait of Hormuz open again” as they discussed the Middle East at the Cabinet meeting this morning.

The readout from No 10 did not mention Sir Keir Starmer’s insistence he will stay put amid calls to resign, which is because it is an official statement and cannot contain party political material.

The readout says: “The prime minister chaired a meeting of his Cabinet this morning.

“The discussion focused on the contingency planning taking place to protect British people and businesses from the impact of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

“Ministers updated on the extensive plans in place across the economy, energy, health, business and transport sectors.

“The prime minister said that thanks to the government’s responsible action to prepare for a range of scenarios, we stand ready to deal with the short and long-term consequences of the war.

“Ministers pointed to new support for those reliant on heating oil, action to protect carbon dioxide supplies and the energy price cap in place until July as examples of a government that will act to protect those who need it most during volatile times.

“They agreed that number one priority remains getting the Strait of Hormuz open again, so that international shipping can resume. Discussing the UK’s leading diplomatic efforts, they looked ahead to today’s meeting of defence ministers which will convene nations to discuss contributions for the defensive military mission in the strait once conditions allow.

“Finally, they looked ahead to tomorrow’s King’s Speech and reiterated their ambition to build a stronger, fairer United Kingdom where families feel safer and better off.”

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden has just walked back into Number 10.

He did not say anything as reporters shouted questions from the other side of Downing Street.

The Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:

Westminster is abuzz with names of ministers who may be next to resign from Keir Starmer’s government.

A number of MPs believe that the trickle of resignations is ultimately leading to a dramatic moment from health secretary Wes Streeting quitting the government while others believe that he hopes the prime minister is just forced to resign before he makes a move.

However, those looking at who may go next are checking the extensive list of ministers who received substantial donations from the controversial thinktank Labour Together.

Labour Together, which is on the right of the party, was used as the vehicle by Morgan McSweeney to destroy Jeremy Corbyn and bring in Keir Starmer. But it was long believed that the ultimate goal was to have Mr Streeting as leader.

Labour Together got into trouble for not declaring donations to it properly but has also been used as a funnel to fund Labour candidates who became MPs and in many cases ministers.

While names like Rachel Reeves, John Healey and Steve Reed in the cabinet are unlikely to quit other more junior ministers who might back a Streeting leadership pitch are being watched for their next move.

At least seven junior ministers received donations of £10,000 for their election campaigns.

The Independent’s political editor David Maddox reports:

St Helens South and Whiston MP Marie Rimmer has offered her support to the prime minister confirming that she will not be the one to stand down for Andy Burnham.

Several MPs had been eyeing Ms Rimmer’s constituency as a possible way back to parliament for the Greater Manchester mayor to take over as leader.

But Ms Rimmer has made it clear she is backing Sir Keir.

She tweeted: “I am relieved that the Prime Minister has confirmed to Cabinet that he will not be standing down despite the internal pressures of recent days. In the last 24 hours, I made clear both to inquiring colleagues and to the Chief Whip of the Labour Party that I would be backing the Prime Minister and supporting his continued leadership.

“There is only one person who was given a mandate by the British public to lead this country, and that is the Prime Minister. At a time like this, my support remains firmly with the leader that the public elected to govern, and I believe our responsibility now is to unite behind that mandate.”

You can read about every MP who has called for the prime minister’s resignation below: