How would a UK Labour leadership challenge work?

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer insists he will not resign after a series of negative local election results, but he comes under increasing pressure from Labor supporters to resign or set a timetable for his departure.

Here’s a look at how a potential Labor leadership contest might play out.

There is no formal vote of confidence procedure to remove a Labor leader.

Anyone challenging Starmer will instead need the support of 81 MPs – 20 per cent of the party in the House of Commons – to trigger a contest.

Written nominations will need to be submitted to Labor general secretary Hollie Ridley.

In the event of a successful challenge, Starmer will be on the ballot paper as the incumbent by default and there will be no need to recruit candidates.

If Starmer resigns it will automatically start a contest for a new leader.

It is the responsibility of Labour’s National Executive Committee to determine the timeline for the leadership election.

As talk turned to the prime minister’s political future, some drew comparisons to Labor predecessor Tony Blair’s exit from 10th place; but unlike then, when Gordon Brown was the obvious candidate to replace him, Starmer has no obvious successor.

Speculation is rife around the ambitions of former deputy Angela Rayner and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham; but his former deputy is still awaiting the outcome of the investigation into tax affairs, and the latter is not currently an MP.

Former minister Catherine West has vowed to launch a challenge with the support of 10 MPs, falling well short of the required candidates.

However, the aim of this move is to mobilize a promising potential leadership in the cabinet.