LONDON, May 12 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer sought to shore up support within the ruling Labour Party on Tuesday after mounting internal pressure triggered speculation over his political future following the party's heavy losses in recent local elections.

Keir Starmer delivers his first speech as British prime minister in front of 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, July 5, 2024. (Photo: Xinhua)

A cabinet meeting convened by Starmer on Tuesday morning was widely viewed by British media as a critical test of his authority, amid reports that several senior ministers believed he should begin preparing for an orderly departure.

According to The Telegraph, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Defence Secretary John Healey, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper and Health Secretary Wes Streeting were among cabinet ministers who thought Starmer should clarify a timetable for his resignation.

The political pressure intensified earlier in the day when Miatta Fahnbulleh, a junior minister in the housing and communities department, resigned and became the first frontbench figure to publicly call on Starmer to step down.

At the opening of the cabinet meeting, Starmer insisted that the Labour Party's formal process for challenging a leader had not been triggered and urged ministers to focus on governing.

"The country expects us to get on with governing. That is what I am doing and what we must do as a cabinet," he said, according to remarks released by Downing Street.

Under Labour Party rules, a formal leadership challenge requires a lawmaker to notify the party's National Executive Committee and secure the backing of 20 percent of Labour lawmakers, currently equivalent to around 80 members of parliament.

British media reported that around 80 Labour lawmakers had publicly called on Starmer to set out a plan to resign.

However, more than 90 Labour lawmakers have also publicly backed him remaining in office, suggesting the party remains divided over whether replacing its leader would improve Labour's political standing. More than 230 Labour lawmakers have yet to publicly declare their position.

Following the cabinet meeting, several senior ministers moved to publicly defend Starmer.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden told reporters that no cabinet member had directly challenged the prime minister during the meeting and said there had been "many statements of support."

Business Secretary Peter Kyle said the threshold required for a Labour leadership contest had not been met, while Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Liz Kendall praised Starmer for showing "really steadfast leadership."

The turmoil comes after Labour suffered significant setbacks in local council elections held on May 7, deepening concerns within the party over voter dissatisfaction with the economy and living costs