Knives out for besieged PM as Labour civil war erupts

Backbenchers say Starmer’s departure is now ‘a question of when, not if’ after by-election defeat in Gorton and Denton

- ATHENA STAVROU DAVID MADDOX MILLIE COOKE KATE DEVLIN

Labour MPs have warned the end of Sir Keir Starmer's premiership is in sight after a humiliating by-election defeat in Gorton and Denton that saw the party finish third behind Nigel Farage's Reform and the victorious Green Party.

The prime minister has vowed to “keep on fighting” and refused to be drawn on speculation about his future after his party failed to retain a constituency considered one of the safest Labour seats in the country.

But furious backbenchers have cast doubt over his ability to lead the country and steer the party to success in the polls, telling The Independent that it is now “just a question of when, not if” he stands down, with the timetable set for the aftermath of the local and devolved elections on 7 May.

To make matters worse for the embattled prime minister, his former deputy Angela Rayner - who is among the candidates tipped to replace him - called for a change in direction for the party following the catastrophic result.

Meanwhile, Green Party leader Zack Polanski declared a historic victory in the former Labour stronghold yesterday morning, claiming the result will “transform the face of British politics”.

The party's newest MP, plumber Hannah Spencer, said the success meant there is “no part of the country where the Green Party cannot win”, igniting fears within Labour that they could face further crushing electoral defeats at the hands of the left.

It came as:

• Reform UK went to the police to report allegations of “family voting” in the by-election following “concerningly high levels” of more than one voter using a single polling booth, according to an election observer group

• The Conservative Party suffered its worst-ever by-election defeat, winning just 2 per cent of the vote and losing its £500 deposit

• Ms Spencer, in her victory speech, said “working hard used to get you something” as she vowed to fight for