Housing secretary Steve Reed addressing the Labour Party in September.

A cabinet minister has warned Labour MPs voters “will never forgive” the party if they descend into in-fighting rather than backing Keir Starmer.

In an exclusive interview with HuffPost UK, housing secretary Steve Reed said the country had backed Labour at the general election because they were sick of the “instability and chaos” of the last Tory government.

And in a clear message to cabinet colleagues with their eye on the prime minister’s job, Reed said everyone in the government must now “focus” tackling the cost of living, improving the NHS and ending illegal immigration.

His comments come amid mounting speculation that Starmer will face a leadership challenge in 2026 and Labour’s poll ratings plunge along with the PM’s popularity with the public.

Downing Street sourced

© HuffPost