Over 20 Labour councillors have resigned, citing dissatisfaction with Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership and key policy decisions. The departures highlight deepening divisions within the party as veteran MPs plan to step down, raising uncertainty ahead of upcoming elections.
In a dramatic political shift, Labour councillor Michael Graham has resigned from the party, declaring Sir Keir Starmer “the worst prime minister of my lifetime.” Serving on Wakefield Council, Graham's resignation follows a wave of discontent among Labour representatives, who cite Starmer's leadership style and policy decisions as the root of their frustrations.
In a statement accompanying his resignation, Graham attributed his decision to a series of contentious policies enacted under Starmer’s leadership. He specifically criticised changes to winter fuel payments for pensioners and a perceived lack of action on grooming gangs, asserting that Starmer has not prioritised the needs of the populace. "I’ve watched as Keir Starmer cosplays as a patriot while failing to put the people of this country first," Graham stated, articulating his concerns regarding the party’s direction. He perceived a significant divergence from the party's foundational values, noting that it has “lost its way” and abandoned those who once found a voice within its ranks.
Graham's departure is not an isolated incident; it is part of a broader trend within the Labour Party, where over 20 councillors have resigned, predominantly from Broxtowe Borough Council in Nottinghamshire. Many of these councillors echo Graham's sentiments, voicing their dissatisfaction with policies like the reduction of winter fuel allowances and the retention of the two-child benefit cap. Additionally, there are significant concerns regarding the party's handling of the Israel-Palestine conflict, which has further amplified divisions among party members, as internal dissent grows over Starmer's refusal to advocate for a ceasefire in Gaza.
The discontent culminates in whispers of a potential parliamentary exodus, with notable figures signalling their intention not to stand for re-election. Among those are veteran MPs like Margaret Hodge and Harriet Harman, indicating a possible reshuffle in safe seats, bringing further uncertainty to Labour’s future prospects. This mass resignation raises questions not only about Starmer’s grip on leadership but also about the party’s cohesion as it prepares for upcoming elections.
Amidst this turmoil, Starmer did receive welcome news with the return of former MP Mike Gapes, who had left Labour four years earlier over allegations of antisemitism. Gapes heralded changes within the party under Starmer’s leadership, highlighting efforts to address grievances from both within and outside the party. Nevertheless, this isolated positive note does little to assuage the growing tide of discontent and the petition circulating for Starmer's resignation, which has garnered over 22,000 signatures, drawing attention to his controversial comments and policies.
As the political landscape shifts, Starmer’s leadership is becoming increasingly scrutinised, positioning the Labour Party at a crucial juncture that could define its trajectory in the lead-up to the next general elections. With internal fractures and public dissatisfaction simmering, the path ahead for Labour appears fraught with challenges, as hopes for a united front grow dimmer.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative presents a recent resignation of a Labour councillor, Michael Graham, criticising Keir Starmer's leadership. However, similar events have occurred in the past, such as the resignation of five Labour councillors in Lancaster in November 2020 ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2020/nov/18/five-labour-lancaster-councillors-quit-party-protest-starmer-leadership?utm_source=openai)) and over 20 councillors in Broxtowe Borough Council in January 2025 ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/labour-councillors-resign-keir-starmer-b1202855.html?utm_source=openai)). The report includes references to these past events, indicating that while the specific resignation is recent, the broader context of councillor resignations over leadership issues is not new. The inclusion of updated data may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/news/politics/labour-councillors-resign-keir-starmer-b1202855.html?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The direct quote from Michael Graham, "I’ve watched as Keir Starmer cosplays as a patriot while failing to put the people of this country first," does not appear in earlier material, suggesting it may be original or exclusive content. However, similar sentiments have been expressed by other councillors in the past, such as Mona Ahmed's resignation letter in October 2023 ([standard.co.uk](https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/keir-starmer-palestine-israel-councillor-resignation-b1116269.html?utm_source=openai)). The absence of identical quotes in earlier material raises the score but flags the content as potentially original or exclusive.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Express, a UK-based tabloid newspaper. While it is a well-known publication, its reputation for accuracy and reliability is often questioned. The Express has been criticised for sensationalism and publishing unverified information. Therefore, the source's reliability is moderate, warranting a cautious approach to the information presented.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The report claims that Michael Graham, a Labour councillor from Wakefield Council, has resigned, criticising Keir Starmer's leadership. While the Express is a known publication, the specific details of this resignation are not corroborated by other reputable sources. The lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets raises questions about the plausibility of the claim. Additionally, the tone and language used in the report are consistent with typical journalistic standards, but the absence of corroboration from other sources reduces the score.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative reports on a recent resignation of a Labour councillor, Michael Graham, criticising Keir Starmer's leadership. While the specific resignation is recent, similar events have occurred in the past, and the broader context is not new. The direct quote from Graham appears original, but the source's reliability is moderate, and the claim lacks corroboration from other reputable outlets. Therefore, the overall assessment is 'OPEN' with medium confidence.
