Cabinet ministers pledge support for Starmer after Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar demands he step down
The government has announced a series of reforms to standards and vetting procedures in response to recent scandals, as the Prime Minister faces internal party criticism. In a Commons statement, Chief Secretary to the PM Darren Jones said the Ethics and Integrity Commission will review rules on ministers’ declarations of interest and the use of non-corporate communication channels like WhatsApp within government as published by The Guardian.
Conduct Reforms
Jones confirmed the government is determined to tighten rules on MPs having second jobs, which should be banned outside of very limited exceptions such as maintaining professional qualifications. He stated the government is working with the Committee on Standards on this. He also announced that vetting rules for ministerial appointments requiring access to highly classified material will change; candidates will not be announced until all national security vetting is complete. This follows the case of Peter Mandelson, whose intended appointment as ambassador to the US was announced before vetting had finished. Jones said the review of material relating to that appointment ultimately led to a referral to the police.
Furthermore, Jones stated the Prime Minister has confirmed that legislation will be brought forward to ensure peerages can be removed from disgraced peers. He outlined that the government has already strengthened the role of the No 10 ethics adviser, set up the Ethics and Integrity Commission, made ministers publish information about gifts and hospitality more often, changed rules on severance payments, and introduced the Hillsborough bill. Jones said the Jeffrey Epstein scandal requires “wider changes in the culture and use of power”.
Political Backing for Starmer
These announcements come as Keir Starmer has secured public expressions of support from every member of his cabinet, despite a call for his resignation from Scottish Labour figure Anas Sarwar. Cabinet ministers issued statements backing the Prime Minister. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Starmer’s leadership is needed at the Munich Security Conference and for keeping the country safe. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden relayed a constituent’s message to “tell your boss to keep going.” Darren Jones said all in the Labour Party must get behind the Prime Minister to deliver a richer, fairer and stronger future.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said Starmer has earned the right to deliver change and serve the country, while Welsh Secretary Jo Stevens called him a good, decent man who has restored Britain’s reputation. Chief Whip Jonathan Reynolds offered full support, and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the PM has her full support and they must not waste a second in changing the country. Other cabinet ministers, including Deputy PM David Lammy, Chancellor Rachel Reeves, and Defence Secretary John Healey, posted similar supportive comments on social media.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall and Health Secretary Wes Streeting have not put out supportive statements on X but have given interviews backing Starmer. Streeting told Sky’s Electoral Dysfunction podcast that “Keir Starmer doesn’t need to resign,” acknowledging the atmosphere is “febrile” and it has not been the best week for the government. Leader of the Lords Angela Smith has not declared loyalty on X, but her spokesperson said “of course” she supports the PM.
Former deputy PM Angela Rayner, a leading candidate to replace Starmer, also issued a statement of support, urging colleagues to come together and put values into practice. This follows Guardian reporting that an unfinished website claiming to launch her leadership campaign was published temporarily in January; Rayner has denied any links, with her team dismissing it as a “fake”. Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander disagreed with Anas Sarwar’s call for resignation, saying he supports Starmer because the PM accepts Labour must “change how we do government”.
