Many Labour MPs believe Keir Starmer will not survive as leader long enough to fight the next election, but they disagree on how his departure might occur, even after poor local election results. The party rulebook makes it notoriously difficult to unseat a leader, with none formally ejected in the postwar period, though some have resigned under pressure.
A curveball emerged on Saturday when backbencher Catherine West launched a leadership challenge. West, MP for Hornsey and Friern Barnet and a former junior Foreign Office minister, announced she would challenge Starmer unless a cabinet minister did so by Monday morning.
If Labour wants to oust Starmer, four possible routes exist. First, a formal leadership challenge under party rules, requiring nominations from 20% of MPs. Second, a vote of no confidence by MPs, which could pressure Starmer to resign. Third, a motion of no confidence passed at party conference. Fourth, a resignation under sustained internal pressure, as seen with Tony Blair.
