Starmer promises to bring the United Kingdom closer to the EU while facing calls for his resignation.

LONDON. – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged on Monday to prove that "skeptics" within his own party and the general electorate are wrong, as he attempts to fend off calls for his resignation following the devastating results of the local elections for his Labour Party. Starmer stated that he would face "the big challenges" and restore "hope" to the country. This includes moving closer to the European Union (EU) and "putting the UK at the heart of Europe," a decade after the country voted to leave the European bloc. "I know I have skeptics, and I know I need to prove them wrong, and I will," Starmer said during a speech in London. He promised to show millions of people "tired of a status quo that has let them down" that the government is on their side. The Prime Minister added that the Labour Party is in "a battle for the soul of our nation," and that the UK would embark on "a dark path" if Reform UK, the far-right party led by Nigel Farage, came to power. However, Starmer's position is fragile, with dozens of lawmakers urging him to announce a date for his departure. Starmer speaks to the press after meeting with members of the Labour Party in south London, May 9, 2026. Maja Smiejkowska - PAL. Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, an influential lawmaker often considered a potential rival, said: "What we are doing is not working, and it has to change." Rayner did not explicitly call for Starmer to resign, but accused him of presiding over "a toxic culture of cronyism" and pointed out that the government must "stay true to Labour and social democratic values" and alleviate the cost of living for working people. "This may be our last chance," Rayner said in a statement on Sunday. The Labour Party is reeling from heavy losses in last week's local elections across England and in legislative votes in Scotland and Wales. The elections have been interpreted as an unofficial referendum on Starmer, whose popularity has plummeted since he came to power with a landslide victory less than two years ago. His government has struggled to achieve promised economic growth, repair dilapidated public services, and alleviate the cost of living, and has been hampered by repeated missteps and policy reversals on issues including welfare state reform. It has also been damaged by revelations about donors. Starmer speaks to members of the Labour Party in a Methodist church in Ealing, west London, May 8, 2026. Stefan Rousseau - PA. Starmer noted that the government would be "defined by rebuilding our relationship with Europe." The Labour Party campaigned to remain in the EU during the 2016 referendum campaign, but has been reluctant to reopen a debate that bitterly divided the country. Starmer has ruled out attempting to rejoin the EU or rejoining the union's customs union or single market, measures that would make a significant difference for British businesses. Starmer announced that he would introduce a bill to nationalize one of the UK's major steel companies, British Steel. "Legislation will be introduced this week to give the government the power to take full public ownership of British Steel," the Prime Minister said. None of the high-profile Labour politicians considered potential rivals to Starmer – including Rayner, Health Secretary Wes Streeting, and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham – have called for him to resign. However, a growing number of Labour lawmakers have urged the Prime Minister to set a timetable for his departure. British politics allows parties to change leaders mid-term without needing to call new elections. Labour MP Josh Simons, previously loyal to Starmer, wrote in the British newspaper The Times that Starmer "has lost the country" and that "he should take control of the situation by overseeing a smooth transition to a new Prime Minister." Former junior minister Catherine West had said she would try to trigger a leadership contest unless Starmer delivered a "knockout" speech on Monday. West acknowledged that she did not have the support of 81 colleagues, needed to force a contest, and her move appeared to be an attempt to push more high-profile contenders to step forward. "Working people sent us a message," West said. "We have to listen to it, and we have to change, and we have to do it quickly," she added. Agencies AP and Reuters.