King stays calm as Labour lurches into crisis – and challenger emerges

King Charles III outlined UK leader Keir Starmer's legislative plans during a pomp-filled ceremony Wednesday, despite uncertainty over the prime minister's future as he faces calls to resign from his own party.

The Labour party leader had seen off an immediate threat on Tuesday despite four junior ministers resigning and more than 80 MPs urging him to quit, when no one broke ranks to formally challenge him.

But the most immediate crisis facing Starmer is the biggest threat to his authority after disastrous local election results for Labour last week, sparking a wave of ministerial resignations and speculation of imminent challenges to his leadership.

Ahead of King's address in the House of Lords later Wednesday morning, Starmer had a brief meeting, reportedly lasting only 17 minutes, with one of his main leadership rivals, Wes Streeting.