Contenders expected to try to unseat UK’s Starmer
Efforts to oust British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will likely escalate into open rebellion; One potential rival is expected to announce his bid for office, paving the way for the other to enter any future leadership contests.
Health Allies Minister Wes Streeting said he would make an announcement on Thursday after he received enough support from ruling Labor MPs to challenge Starmer for the party and government leadership.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner said on Thursday she had reached an agreement with tax officials to clear up tax-related questions that are forcing her to leave the cabinet in September 2025.
Rayner told the Guardian newspaper that Starmer needed to “think” about his position, adding that he was ready to “play my part” in any leadership election if Streeting triggered a contest.
Since Labor suffered disastrous losses in local and regional elections on 7 May, pressure has intensified for Starmer to step aside or face a leadership challenge; This underlines concerns that voters are frustrated with the slow pace of change under the current government.
Starmer has vowed to stay in office and warned MPs that any leadership contest would throw the government into “chaos” and that the government should focus on issues such as the cost of living crisis and the war in the Middle East.
Under Labor Party rules, any challenger to the prime minister must have the support of 81 of the party’s 403 members of the House of Commons.
More than that number have publicly called for Starmer to quit in recent days.
Streeting, like Starmer, comes from the moderate wing of the left-leaning Labor Party.
Rayner is a favorite among many left-wing voters and is calling on the party to do more to raise the minimum wage and raise taxes on the wealthy.
But other potential candidates can join any race for leadership.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has been widely discussed as a potential candidate, but he will need to find a way into parliament before running.
Allies suggested that a sitting member of the House of Commons could resign so Burnham could run in a special election.
Burnham canceled her regular appearance on a local BBC radio show on Thursday this week to “prioritise discussions arising from last week’s election”.
