Labour Leadership in Crisis as Plots Multiply
With less than a week until the Budget, Sir Keir Starmer's grip on power is looking increasingly fragile. The Prime Minister's position has been weakened by a botched briefing against Health Secretary Wes Streeting, accused of plotting against him. This internal turmoil reflects a broader national mood of discontent, raising the question of whether any of his rivals could do a better job.
The Five Challengers Eyeing the Crown
According to reports, there are as many as five alleged plots targeting Starmer's leadership. The first involves Wes Streeting, whom Number 10 sources have accused of political manoeuvring. Then there is Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood, whose leadership and courage are reportedly compared favourably to the Prime Minister's.
The spectre of former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner also looms large, with her recent re-emergence seen as unhelpful for Starmer. Furthermore, the 'soft left' faction within the party is considering its options. The Times reports that MPs in the Tribune Group have met to discuss the potential of deputy leader Lucy Powell, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, and former transport secretary Louise Haigh.
Andy Burnham: The King of the North's Ambition
Perhaps the most dramatic development centres on Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester. On Wednesday 19th November 2025, Labour MP Clive Lewis offered on BBC's Politics Live to give up his Norwich South seat so that Burnham could enter Parliament and challenge the Prime Minister.
This act of potential self-sacrifice underscores the depth of disaffection with Starmer. While Lewis later rowed back on his comments, the suggestion alone signals a party in open mutiny. When questioned about the offer, Burnham did not deny leadership ambitions, instead stating he was "fully focused on my role as mayor of Greater Manchester."
However, on the same day, he launched a £1bn public investment fund, positioning himself as providing "leadership on growth, which is what I think the country needs." He also publicly criticised Shabana Mahmood's immigration policy, stating it could leave people in "limbo and unable to integrate," demonstrating a willingness to diverge from the government line.
A Party and a Nation in Gloom
The leadership speculation is set against a bleak backdrop. A recent opinion poll found that nobody believes the economy is in a "very good state," a rare result of zero per cent support that highlights profound public pessimism.
This sentiment is echoed by commentators. Janan Ganesh of the Financial Times wrote that Starmer and Chancellor Rachel Reeves are "inadequate and remain preferable to their likeliest usurpers." This magisterial pessimism suggests that while the current leadership is struggling, the alternatives may not offer a better path forward for Britain until the next scheduled election in 2029.
While no challenger has yet formally declared, the mere existence of multiple factions and open discussion of replacing the Prime Minister reveals a Labour Party in profound crisis, mirroring a national mood of deep uncertainty.
