Portsmouth’s Labour MPs have backed the Prime Minister after he sought to steady his party following heavy losses in last week’s local elections.
Keir Starmer addressed the nation today after Labour lost nearly 1,500 councillors across England. In his speech, he vowed to prove his doubters wrong amid growing concerns over his leadership.
He also set out a series of pledges, including building a closer relationship with the European Union and bringing British Steel into public ownership.
The Prime Minister said he would not resign and would fight any leadership challenge.
Labour MPs believe Health Secretary Wes Streeting could imminently launch a leadership bid. However, allies of Streeting have denied he is preparing such a move.
Meanwhile, Andy Burnham is understood to be exploring a by-election route back to Parliament as part of a possible leadership bid.
In Portsmouth, Labour lost all five seats it was defending, reducing the party’s representation on Portsmouth City Council from nine councillors to four.
The Liberal Democrats increased their majority to 22 seats to take full control of the council, while Reform UK have 12, the Conservative Party three, alongside one independent councillor.
In a joint statement, Portsmouth MPs Amanda Martin and Stephen Morgan said: “We are proud of the changes a Labour Government has delivered so far: NHS waiting lists are lowest for three years, violent crime, government borrowing and net migration are all falling and we’ve lifted half a million children out of poverty.
“The world is insecure and scary at the moment, internationally and for British families struggling with the cost of living.
“However, as Portsmouth MPs, we know this isn’t enough and that there is still so much more to do. We will keep taking action every day for working people, pensioners and families facing real pressures. We will keep fighting for our city, speaking up and focusing on the issues that matter most to local people.
“As the Prime Minister has said this morning there will be more to come in the King’s Speech this week about the Government’s agenda for change, and we will continue to work hard and fighting for local people”.
The Portsmouth Labour councillor group were approached for comment.
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