Sir Keir Starmer is fighting to save his premiership after being handed an ultimatum by his former deputy Angela Rayner, who declared that the Labour Party faces its "last chance" to change course following dismal local election results. Both Ms Rayner and health secretary Wes Streeting are viewed as potential leadership contenders, though neither has yet made a move against the prime minister. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is also seen as a candidate, although he remains outside Parliament after Sir Keir blocked his previous attempt to become an MP earlier this year.
Over the weekend, Ms Rayner stated that Sir Keir must "prioritise making people better off" and described the blocking of Andy Burnham from Labour's candidate list for February's Gorton and Denton by-election as a "mistake." The prime minister is expected to deliver a speech on Monday morning vowing to "face up to the big challenges" and promising a "bigger response" than anticipated in 2024, including strengthening ties with Europe. His premiership is under immense pressure as dozens of Labour MPs publicly call for his resignation after the party suffered heavy losses in local elections this week.
Leadership Contenders Circle
Labour MP Catherine West has issued an ultimatum to cabinet members, urging them to challenge Sir Keir by Monday or she will begin formally gathering names to trigger a leadership contest. Meanwhile, reports from Politico indicate that Andy Burnham's allies have formulated a plan to return him to Westminster, with a specific MP willing to stand down to trigger a by-election. The identity of that MP is being kept as a "closely guarded secret."
Business Secretary Peter Kyle dismissed suggestions that Wes Streeting is plotting a leadership bid, noting that the Health Secretary spent the weekend watching The Devil Wears Prada 2 in the cinema rather than engaging in political manoeuvring. "Somebody who is planning to pull the plug and launch a leadership bid in a couple of days' time doesn't go to the cinema with a friend," Kyle said.
Analysis: Starmer in the Last Chance Saloon
Political editor David Maddox described the situation as critical: "Keir Starmer knows what is at stake when he gets up this morning to make what will have to be the speech of his life. Already Labour MPs are baying for him to set a timetable for his departure or just quit after the dreadful election results last week and months of a faltering premiership."
Labour MP Navendu Mishra called on the prime minister to set out a timetable for an "orderly transition" to allow leadership hopefuls time to come forward. He praised Andy Burnham's record in Greater Manchester and Angela Rayner's achievements as a trade unionist.
Cabinet minister Peter Kyle defended Sir Keir, stating: "He is the right person that needs to lead us through this." However, he acknowledged that the party is "convulsed by the results" and that people are "fed-up."
Reform UK's Rise and Sturgeon's Warning
Former SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon commented on Reform UK's performance in the Holyrood election, saying the party "did not do as well as I feared." Reform is now the joint second largest party in the Scottish Parliament with 17 MSPs. Sturgeon warned that the new group of Reform MSPs could "try to undermine" the Scottish Parliament and "be disruptive."
Sturgeon also criticised politicians on the left for their inability to answer straightforward questions, urging them to "stand up and make the positive case for the things you believe in."
What Happens Next?
Sir Keir is set to deliver a career-defining speech on Monday morning, centring on undoing Brexit as a key part of his reset. He will concede that "incremental change won't cut it" and vow to "face up to the big challenges." The speech comes against a backdrop of historically bad election results, with more than 40 Labour MPs now publicly calling for him to quit. The prime minister will argue that only Labour values and policies can ensure the country emerges stronger and fairer from current storms.
Angela Rayner has called for a shift to the left, stating: "What we are doing isn't working, and it needs to change. This may be our last chance." Former minister Josh Simons added: "We Labour MPs must square up to the truth. These elections were not a normal mid-term drubbing, they were an unequivocal judgement that our actions do not meet the moment."
As the King's Speech approaches on Wednesday, the next 48 hours will be crucial in determining whether Sir Keir survives or falls.
