Labour MPs Plot Caretaker Coup As Starmer Faces Mandelson Meltdown

Labour MPs are openly discussing forcing Keir Starmer to step aside and installing a caretaker prime minister amid mounting fury over the Peter Mandelson scandal and fears of electoral collapse.

Despairing backbenchers warn the party is heading for disaster at the Gorton and Denton by-election later this month, followed by a rout in May’s local elections, unless Starmer quits now.

Under the extraordinary plan, a “non-contentious” senior Cabinet figure such as Defence Secretary John Healey or Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn would take over temporarily, steering the party through May before overseeing a full leadership contest in the summer.

The plot has gained momentum as insiders claim Starmer’s powerful chief of staff Morgan McSweeney — blamed by MPs for pushing the appointment of Mandelson as US ambassador — is on the brink of quitting. Cabinet Secretary Sir Chris Wormald is also said to be considering his position.

Chief of staff Morgan McSweeney i

One Labour source said McSweeney’s departure could be offered as a “sacrifice” to calm MPs, but warned: “Could Keir survive without him? They should really go as a package.”

Supporters of the caretaker plan say it would bring stability while delaying an all-out leadership civil war that could tear the party apart before May’s elections. The delay would also suit all three main leadership hopefuls.

Angela Rayner would gain time for HMRC to conclude its tax investigation, Andy Burnham could secure a Commons seat after being blocked by Labour’s NEC, and Wes Streeting would have space to distance himself from Mandelson, long seen as his political mentor.

One senior MP admitted the scheme would require Starmer to “fall on his sword” but warned: “Extraordinary times call for extraordinary solutions. We can’t let him limp on.”

Meanwhile, briefing wars between Rayner and Streeting camps have already erupted, with MPs warning a full contest now would leave “blood on the walls — and the ceiling”.

Labour MPs privately concede Starmer would struggle to survive a disastrous by-election result on February 26.

Key Takeaways

• Labour MPs are actively discussing replacing Starmer with a caretaker PM

• Mandelson scandal and election fears are driving the rebellion

• McSweeney’s possible exit is seen as a last-ditch sacrifice

SOURCE: DAILY MAIL

Lammy for PM!