Health Secretary Wes Streeting is positioning himself as a potential successor to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, amid growing speculation about a leadership challenge. Streeting, an MP for Ilford North and a prominent figure on the Labour right, has made little secret of his ambition to lead the party. Allies claim he already has the 'solid' support of nearly half of Labour's 404 MPs, well above the threshold needed to trigger a contest.
However, Streeting's overt ambition may count against him with the more left-wing party membership. A rival from the soft Left, such as former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, could rally an 'anyone but Wes' campaign. Rayner, known as the 'Red Queen', remains popular with grassroots members despite being forced to resign from Cabinet in September over a tax scandal involving a holiday home purchase.
Rayner has been working to clear her name, reportedly asking HMRC to expedite its investigation. She has also distanced herself from Starmer, claiming she warned him against appointing Peter Mandelson as US ambassador. A recent TikTok video showing her getting a haircut was seen as a sign she may be preparing to stand.
Other potential contenders include Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Net Zero chief Ed Miliband (a former Labour leader), and Veterans Minister Al Carns, though the latter is a long shot having only been elected 18 months ago. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham was seen as a main challenger but was blocked by Starmer from running for a Westminster seat.
Despite the speculation, no candidate has yet stepped forward to trigger a formal challenge, wary of the adage 'the hand that wields the knife shall never wear the crown'. The May local elections are expected to be a focal point for unrest on Labour backbenches.
