Third UK minister resigns as pressure mounts on PM Starmer

Earlier, Britain's safeguarding minister Jess Phillips resigned.

May 12, 2026 - 13:58

Third UK minister resigns as pressure mounts on PM Starmer

A junior minister in Britain’s justice department resigned on Tuesday in protest at Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership, adding to pressure on Starmer.

“We have needed to do more and therefore it is with a very, heavy heart that I feel I have no choice but to resign,” Alex Davies-Jones said in a letter addressed to Starmer posted on X.

Earlier, Britain’s safeguarding minister Jess Phillips resigned from government on Tuesday in protest at Prime Minister Keir Starmer‘s leadership, adding to pressure on Starmer after a poor performance in last week’s local elections.

Her exit comes as more than 80 lawmakers from the governing Labour Party have publicly called on Starmer to set a timetable for his departure.

“The desire not to have an argument means we rarely make an argument, leaving opportunities for progress stalled and delayed,” Phillips said in a scathing resignation letter to Starmer, which was first reported by Sky News.

“I want a Labour government to work …, 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.”