'Who is this for?' Labour MP urges PM to consider British public before issuing Red Wall Reform warning

As the Prime Minister fights for his survival, he was hit by a series of resignations from ministers who also urged him to "do the right thing for the country" and go.

Delivering his verdict on Sir Keir's future, Mr Brash said: "My view hasn't changed. I think it's the right thing now for the Prime Minister to set a clear timetable for his departure from the job.

"I think that speaks to the issue at hand that this is not some fringe effort on behalf of a small number of MPs.

"This is right across the party and representing views right across the party. Now they believe we need a change, and the reality is we're starting to see ministers resigning."

The Labour MP stressed: "I think he's got to ask himself the question now, who is this for? Is it for your party in the country, or is it for you?

"I wonder whether this obstinance is trying to continue when it's clear that the party and others are moving against him. I'm not sure it's in the interests of the wider public anymore, and I think he should reflect very carefully on that."

Mr Brash made clear that the Labour Government "cannot get re-elected without red wall constituencies like Hartlepool".

He warned: "It cannot deliver beyond 2029 without those areas. Party members can be pragmatic. We have to understand that this is about the soul of the country.

"They need to be pragmatic, and they need to have a very honest and open conversation about what this country needs.

"And if you want to talk about immigration, I'll make the case every day that this Government needs to continue Shabana's bold reforms, which are already working by the way, we see it in the numbers, to ensure that we have a sensible immigration system that benefits communities like mine."

Highlighting that Sir Keir can "only govern if he has his team behind him", Mr Brash asked: "How long will he be able to command the confidence of ministers?"

He told GB News: "We have the King's Speech coming tomorrow. He has to be able to get his legislation through.

"Look, I would say to him, I understand, I really do. Because I actually think, I know many of your viewers will disagree with this, a lot of people across the country might think he's a man of integrity, think he actually does believe in public service."

Asked how long he thinks Sir Keir has left, Mr Brash argued: "Well, I think it's important, because I don't believe in rushed judgements, I don't believe in short-term chaos. I do think there needs to be a proper discussion, debate within the party. I think the party members must be involved in that process.

"I also think that people who perhaps are outside the PLP (Parliamentary Labour Party) right now should be given the opportunity to come back into the PLP."

Delivering his verdict on Andy Burnham, Mr Brash agreed with ex-Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner that it was a "mistake" to block him from standing as a candidate.

He told GB News: "I'll be very clear, I thought it was a mistake to block Andy Burnham the first time round. We need to be able to choose from all the talents within the party.

"People have talked about the run-up to party conference, September being the time at which you might choose a new leader. That seems like a very sensible timetable for me."

On his preferred candidate for Labour leader, he said: "I think it depends entirely on what the timetable is. For me, it's not about personalities, and never has been. It is about what you are prepared to do.

"And I'll be looking at the people who say, as I said before, if you're prepared to reform council tax, if you're prepared to actually look at economic growth in the regions, if you're prepared to look at nationalising water to lower those bills for my constituents, then that's the conversation I want to be having with you, because that helps my constituents.

"Ultimately, I'm only interested in the people that can make the lives of Hartlepool people better. First and foremost, always."