Health Secretary Wes Streeting is preparing to launch a leadership challenge against Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday, provided he can secure the backing of enough MPs to trigger a contest. Streeting's move has prompted a scramble on the left of the Labour Party to find a candidate to oppose him, with Ed Miliband and Angela Rayner emerging as possible contenders.
Streeting, considered to be on the Blairite right of the party, has been organising an attempt to oust Starmer since Labour's poor election results. Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, is favoured by many on the soft left but does not yet have a seat in Parliament. He has been trying to persuade MPs to stand down for him, with Afzal Khan and Jeff Smith seen as potential candidates to vacate their seats.
Starmer has been calling ministers and MPs to plead with them not to allow a contest, warning that a leadership election would plunge the party into chaos and paralyse the government. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has also been urging MPs to consider the consequences of a leadership race.
Streeting was still working to secure the necessary 81 nominations on Wednesday, with his allies insisting a contest is definitely on. One supporter said: 'No one has the numbers till the bell is struck, even canvassing isn't real, people need certainty before they write their name down. But he thinks he's got the numbers.'
Allies of Miliband believe he also has the required backing among MPs, while Rayner could launch her own bid, though sources say she is not yet committed. Downing Street insists Starmer will fight any challenge, but some supporters have hinted that an accommodation could be reached later in the parliament if polls remain poor.
