Sir Keir Starmer faces a mounting challenge to his leadership as around 40 Labour MPs call for him to set a date to step down. The prime minister is expected to deliver a speech on Monday aimed at shoring up his position, promising to tackle major challenges in growth, energy, defence, and Europe.
Potential successors are positioning themselves, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting and former deputy leader Angela Rayner. However, both have denied any formal pact to challenge Starmer. An ally of Streeting said he is “not going to challenge Keir but he is preparing in case it all falls apart.” Rayner’s supporters say she is not set on being a candidate but is prepared for a possible leadership run.
Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, is seen as a leading contender if he could return to parliament. However, Business Secretary Peter Kyle stated that Burnham had promised to see out his term as mayor and should honour that commitment.
Labour backbencher Catherine West is pursuing a “stalking horse” challenge, seeking 80 supporters to trigger an immediate contest if Starmer does not set a resignation timetable. Burnham’s backers have tried to persuade her to withdraw, arguing it would not leave Burnham enough time to enter parliament.
Kyle acknowledged that “the window of opportunity has narrowed” for Starmer after poor local election results, and that the government had “dwelt too much in the challenge.” He called for boldness in Starmer’s speech to win back voters lost to Reform UK and the Greens.
