Nigel Farage puts Reform on ‘general election war footing’ as Keir Starmer’s premiership on the brink

Mr Farage made the comments after Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar put pressure on the Prime Minister to resign.

Despite Sir Keir currently retaining the support of his Cabinet colleagues, Mr Farage suggested it is only a matter of time before Sir Keir is forced to step down.

He said: “McSweeney, in the short term, has carried the can. As you might have heard when you arrived, the Scottish leader, Anas Sarwar, has called on him to go.

“The Cabinet are coming out one by one, being loyal, because none of them want to appear to be the person that wields the knife.

"And he has to meet the backbench Labour Party at 6pm this evening, where I expect the conversation will be of a rather franker nature.

“He won’t be there for long. He’ll be gone and replaced by somebody undoubtedly far worse.”

Mr Farage, who revealed he is increasingly optimistic about polls being held on May 7, confirmed Reform UK is now inviting supporters to submit applications to stand at the next national poll.

"I do today put this party on a general election war footing," Mr Farage said.

"We will make sure that when it comes, whenever it is, we are ready in every way to fight and win that election."

However, the Reform UK leader also doubled down on his prediction that the next general election could be held in 2027, suggesting a snap poll could be held sooner if a "hard-left" challenger succeeds Sir Keir in No10.

However, Sir Keir received a boost shortly before Mr Farage took to the stage, with potential leadership contenders publicly expressing support for the Prime Minister.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting and ex-Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who have both been touted as potential successors-in-waiting, urged Labour MPs to back Sir Keir.

Ms Rayner said: "I urge all my colleagues to come together, remember our values and put them into practice as a team.

"The Prime Minister has my full support in leading us to that end."

Mr Streeting added: "It has not been the best week for the Government... [but] give Keir a chance."

After suffering a shock double resignation inside No10, Sir Keir defiantly ignored calls to step down as Prime Minister.

Speaking to No10 staff this morning, Sir Keir said: “We must prove that politics can be a force for good. I believe it can. I believe it is.

"We go forward from here. We go with confidence as we continue changing the country.”

However, the Prime Minister lost his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and communications director Tim Allan in less than 24 hours.

Sir Keir will now face a showdown with backbench Labour MPs at 6pm.

However, Labour MPs appear to remain supportive of Sir Keir following Mr Sarwar's call for his resignation.

A Labour source told GB News: "MPs aren't going to move against Keir.

"The Socialist Campaign Group will, but the herd hasn't moved and he's not going anywhere soon."