MPs split on Keir Starmer's future after appalling local elections for Labour
Beavers calls for Starmer to step aside but no word yet from Blackpool South MP Chris Webb
Hello and welcome to The Blackpool Lead.
Any journalist hoping for a quiet week after the 48 hour slog that is the local elections had their hopes dashed - for conversation has now turned to the future of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
It looked for a while on Tuesday that we were seeing the beginning of the end, but as we write to you on Wednesday morning Starmer is reportedly more confident that he will keep his position. As we know however, it doesn’t take much for that to change.
Lancashire MPs, and Blackpool specifically, have had something of a cool relationship with the government since 2024. Both Webb and Beavers have spoken out against the two-child benefit cap and the way that the winter fuel allowance was going to be means tested.
We’ve looked at what they, and their Lancashire colleagues, make of what’s happening this week.
Blackpool briefing
🛎️ A run-down eyesore building in the middle of one of Blackpool’s tourist areas is attracting large groups of children and youths who are putting themselves at risk. Visitor Steve Clews was shocked to see the youngsters climbing into the crumbling building, on the corner of Havelock Street and Central Drive, which has not been made properly secure. At the time, Mr Clews was visiting the neighbouring Pine Lodge B&B on Havelock Street, and saw the youngsters getting inside the abandoned property next-door. The former hotel, which fronts onto Central Drive, appears to have been left to decline and its condition is deteriorating each year. The building is close to a number of small, neat hotels and B&Bs which are continuing to represent the hospitality industry which once dominated the street. Now just a handful are left there. One of those neighbouring hoteliers, Steve Savage, says the building is potentially “lethal” and is calling for something to be done about it.
🩺 Blackpool Council has appointed a new Director of Adult Services (DASS) as the authority looks to continue its programme of improvements to services. Martin Lawton, who has been confirmed as the new DASS, succeeds Karen Smith, who retired from the role at the end of 2025 after 25 years of committed service in the town. She stepped down following a December 2025 announcement, four months after the department received an “inadequate” rating from the CQC, although she stated her retirement was not directly related to that report. Mr Lawton is currently Deputy Director of Adult Services at Rochdale Borough Council and will join Blackpool this summer.
🏅 A married couple who are both councillors will be taking up their chains of office as the mayor and mayoress of Blackpool this week. Cllr Danny Scott will be installed as mayor when Blackpool Council holds its Annual Meeting on Wednesday, while wife Michele will become mayoress. Danny Scott, who represents Warbreck ward for the Conservatives, was first elected onto Blackpool Council in May 2015. Michele, who also represents Warbreck, was elected in 2017. The pair will succeed the outgoing mayor, Cllr Kim Critchley, who has enjoyed a successful year in the role, supported by her consort, Cllr Mel Fenlon.
MPs split on Keir Starmer’s future after appalling local elections for Labour
By Luke Beardsworth
One Blackpool MP was among those who called for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign in the wake of the disastrous 7 May local election results.
Lorraine Beavers, MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood, was among the first to publicly call for Starmer to step aside and is part of a group of more than 80 MPs to have done so.
That group includes Paul Foster, MP for South Ribble, Jonathan Hinder, MP for Pendle and Clitheroe, Lizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale and Sarah Smith, MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden.
It does not include Blackpool South MP Chris Webb who has joined a number of Lancashire MPs in keeping his powder dry.
The Blackpool Lead understands that on Tuesday (12 May) Webb was considering making a statement but wanted to keep his focus on Blackpool.
More than 100 MPs have signed a statement saying it is ‘no time for a leadership contest’ as names like Andy Burnham, Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner and Ed Miliband continue to be linked with leadership bids.
The names on that list have been contested by some but it does include Burnley MP Oliver Ryan.
“Last week we had a devastatingly tough set of election results. It shows we have a hard job ahead to win back trust from the electorate,” the letter said.
