Keir Starmer’s government is unraveling as a second minister resigns, this time over his handling of a landmark case where teenage rapists were spared jail—and as Starmer himself calls the sentencing “appalling.” The prime minister now faces a growing rebellion within his own party, with over 80 MPs publicly demanding his resignation after Labour’s crushing defeat in local elections.
A Minister’s Blistering Exit
Jess Phillips, the safeguarding minister, resigned last week in a scathing letter to Starmer, writing: “I think you are a good man fundamentally, who cares about the right things. However I have seen first-hand how that is not enough.” Phillips, a vocal advocate for victims of violence against women and girls, added: “I know you care deeply, but deeds, not words are what matter.” Her resignation came after Starmer’s government lost nearly 1,500 councillors in the May 7 local elections, signaling a collapse in public confidence.
Phillips’ letter, published in full by BBC News, was a direct challenge to Starmer’s leadership. She wrote: “I want a Labour government to work and I will strive as I always have for its success and popularity, but I’m not seeing the change I think I, and the country expect, and so cannot continue to serve as a minister under the current leadership.” Her resignation was the second in a week, following Miatta Fahnbulleh, minister for devolution, faith, and communities.
Phillips’ departure underscores the depth of frustration within Labour’s ranks. She accused Starmer of failing to deliver on promises to protect women and girls, a core pledge of his government. Her letter also referenced Starmer’s own past statements, where he had called for ministers to resign if they misled Parliament. “I’m only holding the Prime Minister to the same standard to which he held others,” she said, according to Time. “Does he stand by those words, or is there one rule for him and another for everyone else?”
The Teenage Rapists Case: A Crisis of Confidence
Starmer’s credibility has been further shattered by the sentencing of three teenage boys who raped two girls in Fordingbridge, Hampshire. The boys, aged 15 at the time of the crimes, were given non-custodial sentences by Southampton Crown Court in May 2026. One victim, now 16, told the BBC that the judge’s decision felt like a “rock straight in my face.” “What was the point in putting me through that?” she said, speaking anonymously alongside her family.
Starmer has since described the case as “appalling” and said it was “right” that the sentences were being reviewed. The judge who handed down the sentences reportedly wanted to “avoid criminalising these children unnecessarily,” but the decision has sparked outrage among victims’ rights groups and Labour MPs. BBC News reported that one of the girls was attacked in an underpass beside the River Avon, with footage showing the boys laughing and verbally encouraging each other during the assault.
The case has become a symbol of Starmer’s perceived failure to protect vulnerable groups. Critics argue that his government’s response to violence against women and girls has been slow and inconsistent. Phillips’ resignation letter directly tied her departure to Starmer’s handling of such issues, stating: “I cannot continue to serve as a minister under the current leadership.”
The Rebellion Grows
Starmer’s refusal to step down has only fueled the rebellion. Over 80 Labour MPs have now publicly called for his resignation, with former London mayor Sadiq Khan and shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves among the most vocal critics. The prime minister has insisted he will “get on with governing,” but his authority has been severely weakened by the resignations and the election results.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has added to the pressure, stating in the House of Commons: “He blames his officials. He says he had no idea. He gives every impression of a Prime Minister in office, but not in power.” Davey called for Starmer to resign, saying: “We need a government of honesty, integrity and accountability. So will the Prime Minister finally accept that the only way he can help to deliver that is to resign?”
Green Party MP Ellie Chowns echoed these sentiments, asking Starmer: “Does the Prime Minister not recognize that the best thing he can do to restore trust and integrity is to take true responsibility and resign?” The calls for Starmer’s departure are not just coming from opposition parties but from within his own ranks, signaling a crisis of leadership.
What Happens Next?
The next few weeks will be critical for Starmer’s future. A leadership challenge could be triggered if enough MPs formally demand a vote of no confidence. Meanwhile, the government’s legislative agenda is at risk, with key bills stalled by the internal turmoil. The resignation of Phillips and others has left Starmer with a severely weakened cabinet, and his ability to push through major reforms is in doubt.
For now, Starmer remains in office, but the writing is on the wall. The combination of electoral defeat, ministerial resignations, and public outrage over the teenage rapists case has created a perfect storm. The question is no longer if Starmer will resign, but when—and who will replace him.
One thing is clear: the Labour Party is at a crossroads. The resignation of Phillips and the growing chorus of dissent within the party signal that Starmer’s leadership is no longer sustainable. The coming weeks will determine whether he can regain control—or if his government will collapse under the weight of its own failures.
