Starmer defiant, vows not to 'walk away' from mandate amid party pressure

2026-02-09 - 21:05

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has firmly dismissed calls for his resignation, declaring he is "not prepared to walk away" from his mandate or "plunge us into chaos." Addressing a meeting of Labour Party lawmakers on Monday, Starmer struck a defiant tone, seeking to consolidate support amidst internal party dissent and fallout from the Peter Mandelson scandal. A Defiant Defense of His Record Starmer invoked his personal history of overcoming challenges, citing his tenure at the Crown Prosecution Service and his effort to reform the Labour Party, which culminated in a landslide election victory. "I have won every fight I’ve ever been in," he told MPs. He acknowledged facing "detractors" who oppose a Labour government's success but insisted on his commitment to governing. "After having fought so hard for the chance to change our country, I'm not prepared to walk away from my responsibility," he concluded. Context of the Mandelson Scandal The Prime Minister's show of resolve comes as he faces continued scrutiny over his association with former minister Peter Mandelson. Last week, Starmer apologized for believing Mandelson's "lies" and appointing him as ambassador to the U.S. Mandelson was dismissed in September, and recently released documents from the Jeffrey Epstein files suggest he shared confidential information with the convicted sex offender in 2009. Mandelson has since resigned from the House of Lords and the Labour Party. Broader Political Fallout The controversy is tied to the U.S. Justice Department's release of millions of pages related to the Epstein case under a transparency act. While the documents have fueled political scandals globally, they have created a particular vulnerability for Starmer, testing his authority midway through his term. His forceful rejection of resignation calls aims to project stability and redirect focus to his government's policy agenda.