This is a profoundly serious juncture for Sir Keir Starmer.

Every action and statement from the Prime Minister today signals a clear understanding of the gravity of his current predicament by him and his team.

It would have felt discordant and out of place had Sir Keir proceeded with his planned morning speech advocating for increased funding to foster local pride.

He did not.

Instead, the Prime Minister issued a direct apology to the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, acknowledging he “believed Mandelson’s lies” and consequently appointed him to a significant diplomatic role.

Perhaps more revealing was Sir Keir’s admission, under significant journalistic inquiry, that he recognized the “anger and frustration of Labour MPs.”

Ultimately, it is the Labour MPs who hold the power to determine the Prime Minister’s tenure, and their current level of discontent surpasses any point during his leadership.

Labour MPs’ Views on Starmer’s Future

Labour MP Rachael Maskell, a consistent critic of Sir Keir, particularly on welfare policies, has stated that she considers his position as Prime Minister “untenable.” She believes his resignation is “inevitable.”

Speaking to BBC Radio York, she elaborated, “I don’t believe he has a choice. He withheld information from the House of Commons for several months concerning his awareness of the associations between Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein at the time of the appointment.”

She characterized this as a “dishonorable act” towards both MPs and Epstein’s victims.

Another Labour MP, who preferred to remain anonymous, conveyed to Matt Chorley on BBC Radio 5 Live: “I must admit, I cannot see how he can continue.”

“It has been terminal for months,” added another anonymous MP, “but the patient has now ceased to respond to treatment.”

One Labour minister commented, “The only certainty is that the government lacks control over this situation, meaning it could develop in any direction.”

Conversations with other MPs, including Rugby MP John Slinger, revealed a more supportive stance. Slinger stated, “Calm heads must prevail. The PM has done the right thing here.”

Steve Witherden suggested to BBC Wales that, “At minimum, the Prime Minister’s chief of staff, Mr. [Morgan] McSweeney, must account for his role in advocating for Mandelson’s appointment, especially given that his relationship with Epstein was publicly known.”

However, it is noteworthy that despite the widespread private discontent, few MPs have publicly called for the Prime Minister’s resignation. Those who have tended to be MPs who have historically shown little support for his leadership.

In fact, a limited number of MPs are even willing to publicly demand McSweeney’s dismissal, a move Sir Keir has thus far resisted.

This suggests that while the Prime Minister’s position is significantly weakened, a direct challenge to his leadership is not imminent.

“Realistically, I don’t think anything can happen until after the Gorton by-election,” one MP remarked, referring to the Gorton and Denton by-election scheduled for February 26th.

“And then it might be too close to May,” they continued, referencing the scheduled elections in Scotland, Wales, and various English local authorities.

A former minister expressed, “I still believe it’s highly unlikely anyone will make a move before May. However, events are unfolding very rapidly.”

This individual added, “I fail to see how the PM can recover from the complete lapse in judgment involved in appointing Mandelson.”

A current minister stated, “He is finished. It is merely a matter of timing.”