Numerous political have resigned from Keir Starmer’s government over the last few days
14:18, 14 May 2026Updated 14:58, 14 May 2026
Health Secretary, Wes Streeting has become the most recent government official to resign(Image: Leon Neal/Getty Images)
Over the last few days, Keir Starmer’s government has faced blow after blow as various members of the government have called it quits.
Most recently, this afternoon (May 14) Wes Streeting made the decision to resign as the Heath Secretary, admitting he had “lost confidence” in Starmer as a leader in his statement of resignation.
It comes just two days after Birmingham Yardley MP, Jess Phillips, called it quits from her government position as the safeguarding minister.
READ MORE: Wes Streeting resigns as Health Secretary amid leadership challenge rumours
As it stands, the country is currently waiting with baited breath to see whether any other government officials will step down.
Without further ado, here are all the government officials who have resigned in the days following the local elections so far:
Wes Streeting, Health Secretary
The former Health Secretary resigned today (May 14) stating he had “lost confidence” in Starmer as a leader, adding that it would be “dishonourable” for him to continue his role in the Cabinet.
He wrote: “There is no doubt that the unpopularity of this Government was a major and common factor in our defears across England, Scotland and Wales.
“Good Labour people lost through no fault of their own.”
Jess Phillips, Safeguarding Minister
The MP for Birmingham Yardley called it quits on her government role on May 12, addressing the PM in her resignation statement.
Calling him a “good man fundamentally” she said how she has “seen first-hand how that is not enough.”
She said: “I think you are a good man fundamentally, who cares about the right things however I have seen first-hand how that is not enough.
“The desire not to have an argument means we rarely make an argument, leaving opportunities for progress stalled and delayed.”
She added: “I want a Labour government to work and I will strive as I always have for its success and popularity, 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.”
Miatta Fahnbulleh, Minister for Devolution, Faith and Communities
The former Minister for Devolution, Faith and Communities handed in a resignation statement on May 12, writing what a “privilege” it had been to play a part in the government.
However, she said while “progress has been made” the government “have not acted with the vision, pace and ambition that our mandate for change demands of us.”
She added: “Mistakes such as the winter fuel payment and cuts to the support provided to disabled people have left too many of my constituents doubting our mission.
“And the message on the doorstep was clear: you, Prime Minister, have lost the trust and confidence of the public.”
Alex Davies-Jones, Minister for Victims and Tackling Violence Against Women and Girls
Alex Davies-Jones also resigned on May 12 sharing while she has been “proud to deliver some monumental changes” she felt as though the Labour government “needed to do more.”
She wrote: “I have been proud to deliver some monumental changes which will help save lives and shift the dial on the conversation.
“However, 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.”
“I implore you to act in the country’s interest and set out a timetable for your departure,” she rounded off.
READ MORE: What giant advertising boards are covering beside Birmingham Cathedral – and when they’ll go
Zubir Ahmed, Health Innovation and Safety Minister
The former Health Innovation and Safety Minister chose to resign on May 12, writing a lengthy statement over his decision.
He said it had been the ‘honour of his life’ to bring his experience on the NHS front line to government.
However, he went on: “But as I raise my gaze above the daily work of ministerial life, it is clear to see that whatever the magnitude of individual achievements and progress, they are now being dwarfed and undermined by a lack of values-driven leadership at the centre.
“It is clear from recent days, that the public across the UK has now irretrievably lost confidence in you as Prime Minister.”
Mr Ahmed added, addressing the PM: “I now ask you for the sake of that urgency and that national duty, to step aside and set a timetable for an expedient and orderly transition to new leadership that commands the confidence of our country.”
