Starmer resignation odds: What the bookmakers say on PM and next Labour leader

Pressure is mounting on Sir Keir Starmer to resign following Labour’s disastrous local election results, with more than 80 of his own MPs speaking out against him.

The Prime Minister vowed to continue in his role despite the calls, saying he “takes responsibility” for the results in his speech on Monday, but added: “I also take responsibility for delivering the change we promised for the stronger and fairer Britain we need to build.”

But the Labor leader could still face a leadership race if at least 81 of the party’s MPs – 20 per cent of parliamentary members – back a single challenger to oppose him.

Bookmakers are giving Sir Keir negative odds against the mounting pressure, with the most popular offers putting the odds of him resigning this year at 1/6.

The odds rise to 6/1 for him to resign next year, 40/1 for him to resign in 2028, and 20/1 for him to leave in 2029 or later.

Former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and health minister Wes Streeting are seen as potential leadership candidates, but neither has yet made a move against the prime minister.

Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is also considered a candidate, but cannot run because he is not an MP. Labor blocked him from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-elections in February.

On Sunday, Ms Rayner said Labour’s approach was “not working and needs to change”, adding that the party should not block Mr Burnham’s bid to become an MP.

The next Labor leader’s odds still put Mr Burnham on top at 9/4. He is followed by Mr Streeting (7/2), Ms Rayner (4/1), Ed Miliband (9/1) and Shabana Mahmood (18/1).

The list of Parliamentary Labor Party (PLP) members who have called on Sir Keir to resign or set a timetable for his departure continues to grow, reaching over 80 on Tuesday morning.

They include former transport secretary Louise Haigh, former shadow chancellor John McDonnell and senior MP Barry Gardiner.

Signaling Sir Keir to resign, Pendle and Clitheroe MP Jonathan Hinder claimed the prime minister had “never been an electoral tool”.

He told BBC Newsnight: “I think he’s in it for good reason. I know his team, like all of us, have worked incredibly hard to get us here, but we have to face the facts now.”

“We need a new leader for the Labor Party and most importantly our country needs a new leader.”