Starmer's Premiership Under Threat
Keir Starmer is confronting a critical 24-hour period as allies of Health Secretary Wes Streeting indicate he is preparing to launch a leadership bid should the prime minister’s position collapse this week.
Starmer aimed to secure his position with a speech outlining his vision for national recovery on Monday, following a poor performance in local elections where Labour lost ground to Reform UK and the Greens.
Nonetheless, his prospects of remaining in No 10 appeared to wane on Sunday, with approximately 40 Labour MPs publicly calling for his resignation or for him to announce a departure timetable.
Streeting's Position and Leadership Prospects
An ally of Streeting told :
“Wes isn’t going to challenge Keir but he is preparing in case it all falls apart.”
Streeting reportedly conveyed this stance to No 10 last week. Although he is not expected to be the first to challenge Starmer, his supporters highlight his resilience, citing Labour’s retention of the local Redbridge council as evidence.
Catherine West's Challenge and Internal Dynamics
Labour backbencher Catherine West has declared her intention to challenge Starmer for leadership on Monday if he fails to provide a resignation timetable. She requires the backing of 80 Labour MPs. Streeting’s allies have distanced themselves from her initiative.
Meanwhile, supporters of Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, are reportedly encouraging West to withdraw her bid, arguing it would not allow Burnham sufficient time to enter parliament.
West’s move is widely perceived as advantageous to Streeting, whose supporters believe he has sufficient backing to enter a leadership contest. Other contenders from Labour’s soft left, including Lisa Nandy and Ed Miliband, are also considered potential candidates.
Supporters of Angela Rayner indicate she is not firmly committed to standing but is prepared to consider a leadership bid if necessary.
Some on the left have urged Ed Miliband to stand as an alternative candidate, expressing concerns about Rayner’s national support and the unresolved status of the Labour Party.
Cabinet's Role and Party Sentiment
The cabinet may play a decisive role in Starmer’s future. Ministers such as Shabana Mahmood, Lisa Nandy, and Pat McFadden have remained silent regarding Labour’s loss of 1,500 councillors and approximately 40 councils.
A Labour cabinet source commented:
“There is a residual loyalty to Keir but they are at end of their tether.”
Regarding proposals for Starmer to announce a departure timetable, as some Burnham supporters advocate, the source added:
“You cannot say you are listening to the message of voters and then park everything for six months or more ... That would send us backwards. We don’t have that time to waste.”
Defence of Starmer and Calls for Transition
Starmer received support from Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson on Sunday, who stated that Labour MPs would be mistaken to remove him despite the party’s electoral setbacks and public disappointment.
Phillipson acknowledged Labour had been “too gloomy” and admitted an error in attempting to withdraw the winter fuel allowance.
Many advocating for Starmer to outline an orderly resignation timetable are Burnham supporters, although an immediate contest would advantage current MPs.
Josh Simons, a former Cabinet Office minister, recently called for Starmer to arrange a leadership transition, asserting that Starmer has “lost the country” and is unable to meet the current challenges. Writing in , Simons urged:
“To avoid leadership chaos, senior figures across factions should come together to decide the best way forward.”
Starmer's Response and Government Refresh
Facing threats to his leadership, Starmer has expressed a desire to serve two terms or ten years. He has also sought to rejuvenate his government by appointing former Prime Minister Gordon Brown as a finance adviser and former Labour Deputy Leader Harriet Harman as an adviser on women and girls.
