Starmer could face a Labour leadership challenge — how do they work?

Sir Keir Starmer faces growing pressure from Labor supporters to resign or set a timetable for his departure, despite his insistence that he will not resign following a series of damaging local election results.

The debate over his political future has led to comparisons with Labor predecessor Sir Tony Blair’s exit from 10th place.

But more importantly, unlike Gordon Brown’s then obvious path, Sir Keir has no obvious successor.

Speculation is rife about the ambitions of former deputy Angela Rayner and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

But Ms Rayner is awaiting the outcome of an inquiry into her tax affairs and Mr Burnham is not currently an MP.

Former minister Catherine West set the deadline by warning she would put the cabinet “on notice” to “reorganise themselves”.

He told the BBC he had 10 people ready to support him in his leadership bid but was “confident” he could secure the 81 needed to trigger a contest.

But his move is aimed at mobilizing a hopeful potential leadership from the Cabinet.

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

How will the Labor Party leadership contest work?

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

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

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

In the event of a successful challenge, Sir Keir will be on the ballot as the incumbent by default and will not need to field candidates.

If Ser Keir resigned, a contest would automatically start for a new leader.

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

What’s the latest situation?

Hornsey MP Catherine West and Friern Barnet, who was sacked by Sir Keir as a junior minister at the Foreign Office, said the cabinet should “reorganise themselves” and avoid a contest, putting forward their “best communicator” instead of the Prime Minister.

If that doesn’t happen, he said he will seek out the 80 names needed to trigger a contest.

Guard It was reported on Saturday evening that MPs from the Labor left are expected to urge Ed Miliband to consider a leadership bid in the coming days.

The paper says MPs would prefer the energy minister step in rather than resist Andy Burnham, who will have to wait for a by-election to pose a challenge.

According to the newspaper, MPs believe Angela Rayner does not have the necessary support.

Cabinet minister Nick Thomas-Symonds has “warned colleagues” against Catherine West’s demands.

“Over the last 10 years we’ve seen what happens when a party in government starts to cut and replace leaders,” he told the BBC.

“This just creates instability and hinders focus on delivery.”

“I am confident that Keir Starmer will be the best prime minister for our country,” he added.