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Sir Keir Starmer admitted he has “got to turn things around” if he is going to remain as Prime Minister and lead Labour into the next general election.

His fragile authority has suffered a further blow with the resignation of defence secretary John Healey and armed forces minister Al Carns over long-delayed defence investment plan (Dip).

The Prime Minister insisted defence spending was a priority and he had taken the “difficult decisions” necessary to keep the country safe.

The timing of the resignations of Mr Healey and Mr Carns, along with two ministerial aides, comes at a moment of peril for Sir Keir whose premiership has looked precarious since May’s election results across England, Wales and Scotland.

Andy Burnham hopes to return to Westminster in next week’s Makerfield by-election and has made no secret of his leadership ambitions, while former health secretary Wes Streeting will also run in any contest.

Sir Keir said “I don’t think we should plunge the country into the chaos of a leadership election”, but told the BBC he would fight any challenge.

Asked if he would lead Labour into the next general election, expected in 2029, he said: “Well, that’s what I want to do.

“I recognise that I’ve got to turn things around. We had a very bad set of elections.”