Keir Starmer, you have two choices now – sort your warring party out or call an election | Ed Davey

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey issued a scathing ultimatum to Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London this week, demanding the government either resolve its internal divisions or call a general election following the high-profile resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner. Davey’s intervention comes as the Labour Party faces intense scrutiny over perceived instability and executive dysfunction just a few months into its mandate. The opposition leader argued that the British public should not be subjected to years of political infighting while critical national issues remain unaddressed. The resignation of Angela Rayner has served as a catalyst for critics who suggest that the 'quiet' and stability promised by the Starmer administration during the election campaign has been replaced by a chaotic internal power struggle. Davey characterized the current state of the Labour government as a 'dysfunctional soap opera,' drawing unfavorable parallels to the frequent leadership changes that defined the previous Conservative administration. He suggested that the early optimism surrounding Starmer’s premiership has evaporated, replaced by headlines focused on personnel departures rather than policy achievements. Beyond the immediate political fallout, Davey emphasized that the country’s economic and social challenges require a focused and united government. By calling for a potential election, the Liberal Democrats are positioning themselves as a decisive alternative to a Labour Party they claim is currently incapable of governing effectively. The demand puts additional pressure on Keir Starmer to consolidate his authority and prove that his cabinet can move past internal grievances to deliver on its legislative agenda before public confidence shifts further.