How would a Labour leadership contest work? These are the next steps

"Wes Streeting's resignation as health secretary and confirmation that Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham is eyeing a return to Westminster has plunged the future of Labour's leadership into deeper doubt. On Thursday, Makerfield MP Josh Simons said he is willing to give up his seat to allow Mr Burnham the chance to win a by-election, return to parliament, and challenge the prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer. He said that the Labour Party owes it to people to come back together following last week's defeat in the local elections."

"It came just hours after Mr Streeting sent a blistering resignation letter to Sir Keir, saying: Where we need vision, we have a vacuum. Where we need direction, we have drift. These developments follow days of mounting questions over the prime minister's position and the prospect of a leadership challenge following dismal local election results last week. But how could a leadership contest be triggered, what would it look like, and who could stand? Here is what we know about the road ahead for Sir Keir and for any potential challengers."

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Wes Streeting resigned as health secretary, and Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, is considering a return to Westminster. Makerfield MP Josh Simons said he would give up his seat so Burnham could contest a by-election, return to parliament, and challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Simons said the Labour Party owes people a return to unity after last week’s local election defeat. The resignation followed a sharp letter from Streeting to Starmer, criticizing the lack of vision and direction. Questions about Starmer’s leadership and the possibility of a leadership challenge intensified after poor local election results. The situation raises uncertainty about how a leadership contest could be triggered, what it would involve, and who might stand.

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