UK | Monday, 9 February 2026 | Talk of a possible change in leadership is intensifying inside the UK’s ruling party amid a high-profile diplomatic scandal and a growing crisis of governance.Talk of a possible change in leadership is intensifying within the UK’s ruling party amid a high-profile diplomatic scandal and an escalating crisis of governance, The WP Times reports, citing Bloomberg.
Ambassador appointment scandal
Senior figures within the Labour Party are increasingly discussing the likelihood of a rapid resignation by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The trigger was the controversy surrounding the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to the United States, despite renewed scrutiny over his past connections to Jeffrey Epstein. According to Bloomberg, party insiders believe the decision dealt a serious blow to the government’s reputation and acted as a catalyst for a wider political crisis.
Resignation of a key adviser
The situation was further aggravated by the departure of Morgan McSweeney as chief of staff to the prime minister. He stated that he was taking “full responsibility” for recommending Mandelson’s appointment. However, figures inside the party point out that the final decision was taken at the level of the prime minister himself. The loss of one of the principal architects of Labour’s 2024 election victory has noticeably weakened Starmer’s standing within the cabinet.
Growing internal pressure
Sources say cabinet ministers are preparing to privately demand that the prime minister step aside voluntarily, or to threaten their own resignations if he refuses. Within the Labour Party, there is also discussion of a possible government reset involving the party’s left wing, although not all senior figures view this scenario as realistic. With snap and local elections approaching — contests in which Labour risks losing seats — the prime minister’s position appears particularly fragile.
Risks in the coming weeks
Additional pressure is being created by the election calendar and by the opposition, which is directly placing responsibility for the scandal on the head of government. Within the party, potential successors are already being named, while the possible publication of documents related to the vetting of Mandelson’s appointment could further complicate the situation. According to Bloomberg’s sources, the coming week may prove decisive for the future of the current prime minister.
It is also noted that Prime Minister Keir Starmer has recently renewed efforts to involve the UK in the European defence fund SAFE, returning to an initiative that failed to gain support in negotiations last year and was effectively shelved. Separately, Starmer has signalled a course towards resetting and building more sustainable relations with China, highlighting Beijing’s key role as an important factor for the UK economy.
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