Analysis: Many Labour MPs are blaming the boss for elections body blow

Key developments are emerging from the global stage. Many Labour MPs are blaming the boss for elections body blow19 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleChris Mason ,Political editorandIain Watson ,Political correspondentGetty ImagesSurveying the scale of Labour's disastrous elections performance, there are now at least a dozen Labour MPs saying publicly that Sir Keir Starmer should resign or attach a sell by date to his premiership. Let's see if that is a position that becomes contagious. There are no shortage of Labour MPs who say it is the prime minister himself who was toxic to many voters.

"There was one issue on the door and it was Keir. If he leads us into a future election we are dead," one Labour MP told the . Another usually loyal Labour MP, in an area that went heavily Reform in Thursday's poll, told us that the reassuring thing was that voters didn't really hate Labour, but "they did hate Keir".

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A senior Labour figure said to me "everyone in Wales is saying this is all Starmer's fault". But others do fret about the downsides of a leadership race while the party is in government, and also wonder if it would actually make any difference. "I am still of the view that anyone who takes over will inherit the same problem - an impatient and almost ungovernable country that wants tax cuts and spending increases on nearly everything," said another Labour MP.

Getty ImagesAndy Burnham needs to be an MP before he can become leaderMost cabinet ministers have been circling the wagons, taking to the TV studios to reinforce his message that Sir Keir will not be walking away from Number 10 and tweeting support for him. For example, Business Secretary Peter Kyle said: "Reversing these results requires a collective effort, not just blaming the boss. "But while few MPs are entirely "blaming the boss", a significant number think he is part of the problem.

Given the level of dismay and frustration, you might assume there would be even more calls for PM's removal. But Labour politics is rarely that straightforward. Former cabinet minister Louise Haigh told the now was not the time for a messy, internal leadership contest and praised Sir Keir's stance on the Iran war.

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But her comments had this sting in the tail. "The message has been clear from the public," she told the ,"Unless the government delivers urgent and significant change it's clear the PM can not lead us in to the next election. "Her colleague, Sarah Owen, went further and said "unless Keir Starmer delivers tangible change ...

he cannot lead us in to another election (locally or nationally)". Both these MPs are leading figures in the "soft left" Tribune group of MPs - and some of its members want to provide Sir Keir with only temporary support until Greater Mancehster mayor Andy Burnham can get back to Westminster and challenge for the leadership.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.