Hartlepool’s Labour MP has said no-one “reasonably expects” Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to lead Labour into the next General Election.

Jonathan Brash believes “it’s not a case of if, it’s when” a change of party leader is made.

He was speaking on the GB News channel after the fallout from the appointment as American ambassador of Peter Mandelson, one of Mr Brash’s predecessors as Hartlepool MP, was debated on Wednesday in Parliament.

Mr Brash said: “I am completely fed up to the back teeth of this psychodrama in Westminster, the own goals that are coming from the heart of this Government.

Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash believes "it’s not a case of if, it’s when" Sir Keir Starmer's reign as Prime Minister ends.

placeholder image — Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash believes "it’s not a case of if, it’s when" Sir Keir Starmer's reign as Prime Minister ends.

“Meanwhile, we have got fantastic Labour councillors, canvassers, activists up and down the country working hard and delivering for their constituencies like mine in Hartlepool, facing local elections in the shadow of this absolute mess.

“They just need to get a grip. I'm completely fed up about it and I think it's got to the point now where I genuinely think, as far as the Prime Minister is concerned, it's not a case of if, it's when, and I just think we need to get a handle on this.”

Mr Brash added: “Ultimately, we are in a situation where I don't think anyone reasonable expects the Prime Minister to lead the party into the next election and I think we have to refocus this Government on the priorities of the British people.”

Labour currently has 21 of the 36 seats available on Hartlepool Borough Council.

Reform UK, on five, is the party with the next highest number of councillors.

With only a third of the 36 seats to be contested at May’s local elections, no other party can gain overall control although Labour could be ousted if they lose seats and are outnumbered by a coalition of opponents.