MPs from Labour's left to urge Ed Miliband to consider leadership bid

"MPs from Labour's left are expected to urge Ed Miliband to consider a leadership bid in the coming days, as Keir Starmer faced the prospect of a definite challenge from his MPs next week. Following grim results for Labour in elections on Thursday, former minister Catherine West said that if no cabinet ministers went public by Monday, she would launch a bid to end the impasse. It comes after a series of Labour backbenchers called on Saturday for Starmer to set a timetable for his departure from Downing Street."

"The prime minister has reiterated his determination to stay on, saying on Saturday that a change of leadership would plunge the country into chaos. A number of Labour MPs from across the party support Andy Burnham replacing Starmer. However, the Greater Manchester mayor requires a time-consuming and uncertain byelection to re-enter parliament. There has been speculation that Wes Streeting might be considering a move next week, although this has been vehemently denied by the health secretary's allies, who point to his public support for the PM on Friday."

"With any route for Burnham back to the Commons still unclear, dozens of backbenchers from the party's left are now preparing to turn to Miliband. The group is expected to urge the energy secretary to step in and prevent a Streeting coronation, believing that Angela Rayner, Starmer's former deputy, does not have the necessary support. MPs were weighing up their options a day after Labour's disastrous election results, with some backbenchers adding their voices to calls for the prime minister to go."

"But matters began moving at speed, with West, a north London MP who was sacked by Starmer as a Foreign Office minister last year, telling the BBC that in the event of no other challengers, she would ask colleagues on Monday to back her as a way of starting a contest. Saying she had the support of 10 MPs so far, well below the required 81 20% of the parliamentary party to endorse any challenger. But her action could p"

Labour MPs from the left are expected to press Ed Miliband to consider a leadership bid as Keir Starmer faces a potential challenge from within his own party. After grim election results, Catherine West said she would launch a bid to end the leadership impasse if no cabinet ministers go public by Monday. Backbenchers have also called for Starmer to set a timetable for leaving Downing Street, while Starmer has insisted he will stay, warning that changing leadership would plunge the country into chaos. Some MPs support Andy Burnham, but his return to Parliament would require a difficult and uncertain by-election. Speculation about Wes Streeting has been denied by his allies, and left-leaning MPs are preparing to rally behind Miliband if other routes fail.

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