Buckingham Palace has privately asked Downing Street whether Wednesday’s King’s Speech should still go ahead as Sir Keir Starmer battles a rapidly escalating political crisis.
The extraordinary intervention comes amid growing turmoil inside Labour, with ministers resigning, dozens of MPs calling for the Prime Minister to quit and mounting speculation over a possible leadership challenge.
Palace officials are understood to have become increasingly concerned about the monarchy being drawn into the instability surrounding Starmer’s Government.
According to reports, Palace aides contacted No 10 to seek clarification over whether the State Opening of Parliament should proceed as planned. The King’s Speech is one of the most important constitutional events of the year, formally opening a new parliamentary session and outlining the Government’s legislative agenda.
Sources close to the Palace stressed the importance of keeping the King above party political conflict at a moment when the Government’s authority appears increasingly uncertain. One Palace source reportedly said:
“The Palace view is we do not want to be any part of this conversation – do not bring us into it.”
The request is likely to intensify speculation over the scale of the crisis engulfing Downing Street. While the monarchy remains politically neutral, the fact Buckingham Palace is seeking assurances about whether the ceremony should proceed at all underlines the seriousness of the situation facing Starmer.
The Prime Minister has spent the day attempting to project calm despite open rebellion within Labour ranks. More than 90 Labour MPs have now publicly called for him to resign following disastrous local election results and a collapse in support across key parts of the country.
At the same time, ministers have continued to quit the Government. Zubir Ahmed, a health minister and ally of Wes Streeting, became the fourth minister to resign within 24 hours, declaring that the public had “irretrievably lost confidence” in Starmer’s leadership.
The resignations have fuelled growing speculation that senior Labour figures are manoeuvring for a potential leadership contest. Wes Streeting’s name has repeatedly surfaced as a possible successor, while some within the party are urging Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to return to frontline politics.
Despite the mounting pressure, Starmer’s allies insist no formal challenge has yet materialised. David Lammy said the Prime Minister retained his “full support” and argued critics had failed to unite around an alternative candidate.
But the focus in Westminster has increasingly shifted beyond internal Labour politics to questions about whether the Government can continue functioning normally. The King’s Speech is traditionally carefully choreographed weeks in advance, involving the Royal Household, Parliament and ministers.
Any uncertainty surrounding the event is therefore highly unusual and reflects growing fears that political instability at the heart of Government is beginning to overshadow major constitutional business.
The Palace’s reported intervention will be seen by many as a sign that the crisis around Starmer has moved beyond routine political unrest. With resignations mounting by the hour and confidence inside Labour collapsing, questions are now being asked not only about the Prime Minister’s future — but about whether his Government can credibly carry on at all.
Downing Street has been asked for comment.
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