The ITV daytime programme had only just returned from an advertising break when Susanna Reid told viewers that breaking news had emerged within the previous few minutes.
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According to the presenter, 11 trade unions affiliated with the Labour Party had released a statement casting serious doubt over Keir Starmer’s ability to remain leader ahead of the next general election.
Reading from the statement, Susanna said the unions believed it was now clear that the Prime Minister would not take Labour into the next national vote and that arrangements would need to be made for the party to choose a successor.
The announcement came amid further speculation after Wes Streeting was seen entering Downing Street for talks with the Prime Minister.
At the same time, King Charles was preparing to deliver the King’s Speech, outlining the Government’s planned legislation for the forthcoming parliamentary session. But on the ITV sofa, attention quickly turned to the growing pressure surrounding Mr Starmer’s leadership.
Susanna and Ed were joined by Nick Thomas-Symonds, the Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office, as they questioned him about the apparent crisis unfolding within Labour.
Ed did not hold back as he listed the mounting problems facing the Prime Minister.
He pointed to reports that 90 MPs wanted Mr Starmer to step aside, alongside four ministerial resignations and criticism from council leaders. He then raised the unions’ reported intervention, asking whether the situation had become impossible for the Labour leader to survive.
Ed asked whether the only remaining question was not if Mr Starmer would go, but when he would announce his departure.
