Nigel Farage - and some Labour MPs - warn next PM must call a general election to get a mandate

By JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 10:45, 22 June 2026 | Updated: 10:57, 22 June 2026 Nigel Farage demanded a general election today as Keir Starmer announced he is quitting. The Reform leader said Labour could not simply 'shove' another PM into Downing Street without consulting voters. Even some Government MPs have echoed the warning, with Home Office minister Mike Tapp calling for a change in the law to guarantee a national election if a premier is forced out by their own party. Many senior figures on the Left - including Andy Burnham - previously pushed for an election when the Tories switched leaders in power.  Nigel Farage demanded a general election today as Keir Starmer announced he is quitting The Reform leader said Labour could not simply 'shove' another PM into Downing Street without consulting voters Even some Labour MPs have echoed the warning, with Home Office minister Mike Tapp calling for a change in the law to guarantee a national election if a premier is forced out by their own party Sir Keir choked up today as he announced he is resigning in a Downing Street statement. The PM talked up his achievements in getting Labour into Government - as well as making a series of dubious claims about successes - in a statement outside the famous black door of No10.  But he acknowledged that his time had run out. 'I know the question being asked now is not who is best placed to change the Labour Party... the question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election.' He added: 'I accept that answer with good grace... that is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party.'  Sir Keir said there would be an 'orderly' process to choose his replacement. He said a successor would be in place before the Commons summer recess on July 16 if there is only one candidate - Mr Burnham. Otherwise the decision could take until August. Mr Farage said in response: 'Reform demands an election, and we are ready to deliver radical change. 'If Labour thinks it can shove another professional politician into No 10, it has another thing coming.' Mr Tapp waded into the election question as rumours swirled yesterday, posting on X: 'Is it time to legislate; if a change of leader is forced by its own Party then a General Election must be called.  'That would stop the constant churn and focus all politicians on delivery, instead of work place politics.  'These endless 'house of cards' games would end and the country would benefit. Let's legislate to focus minds.'  Sir Keir choked up today as he announced he is resigning in a Downing Street statement Writing for LabourList, Labour MP Michael Payne warned a change of leader would 'invite incessant demands for an early general election'. However, Mr Tapp's call was not popular with his own ministerial colleagues. Labour MP Josh Fenton-Glynn replied: 'Mike Tapp appears surprised that we are a parliamentary democracy!  'The last two prime ministers to win an election then lose their job at the next election were Major and Wilson.  'Course correction mid-term in response to the public is the norm, not the exception.' The comments below have not been moderated. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.