• Anas Sarwar will call for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign at a Monday press conference, escalating internal Labour turmoil.
  • Starmer has lost key aides and faces mounting pressure from MPs over his judgment in the Lord Mandelson scandal.
  • The political crisis threatens to destabilize Labour's governance amid declining polls and public frustration over unfulfilled promises.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar is set to demand the resignation of UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at a press conference in Glasgow on Monday at 2:30pm GMT, according to people familiar with the matter. This move intensifies the fallout from the Lord Mandelson scandal, which has already cost Starmer his communications chief Tim Allan and chief of staff Morgan McSweeney in recent days.

Downing Street has pushed back forcefully, stating that Starmer is not resigning and remains "upbeat" and "confident," with a spokesperson adding that the Prime Minister is focused on governance after addressing No 10 staff. However, the loss of these key aides has ratcheted up pressure on Starmer's 16-month premiership, which has been marked by declining opinion polls and persistent leadership speculation behind the scenes.

Sarwar's planned intervention follows his earlier criticism of Mandelson's consideration for the US ambassador role, a position tied to Epstein links that has sparked broader party revolt. Some Labour MPs and cross-party figures now openly question Starmer's judgment, with claims circulating in Westminster that his tenure is "over." Starmer is expected to confront angry Labour MPs in the next 48 hours, a critical window that could determine his political survival.

Former home secretary Alan Johnson has warned that ousting Starmer would risk echoing Liz Truss's 2022 Tory fiasco, damaging the UK's global image, and noted that no strong replacements like Wes Streeting or Angela Rayner have emerged. Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch has seized on the chaos, accusing Labour of distraction from cost-of-living issues that continue to squeeze voters.

Stakeholders are closely watching the 2:30pm announcement, which could tip Starmer's fate. He is preparing to make his case to MPs while claiming Cabinet backing, but the ongoing scandals risk further instability. Johnson predicts Starmer might survive if "the lynch mob calms," but without a deal to unify the party, Labour could face prolonged infighting.

Public and political reactions remain split: some demand Starmer's exit for "leadership with a backbone," while others urge unity to avoid ridicule. The crisis underscores the challenges of Starmer's large electoral mandate, with worsening polls signaling eroding support similar to past UK PM crises. As Monday approaches, all eyes are on Glasgow for what could be a pivotal moment in UK politics.