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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Comment
Simon Jenkins

After a mad week, Labour is hopefully seeing sense: Starmer needs to stay

Sir Keir Starmer speaks at PMQs on 11 February 2026.
Sir Keir Starmer speaks at PMQs on 11 February 2026. Photograph: House of Commons

They roared, they stamped and they cheered. On Monday, the parliamentary Labour party reacted as it should when its leader hit a spot of bother. It knew it could not sack him, so it backed him. The constitution did its job and parliament supported the elected government of the day.

The idea that what Britain most needs is a Downing Street conflict is madness. After a week of a truly almighty storm in a teacup, it was a relief that the Commons could recover and steady the ship of state. It should keep it that way into the immediate future.

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