Starmer faces perilous 24 hours as Streeting preparing for leadership bid

"Keir Starmer is facing a perilous 24 hours as allies of Wes Streeting said he was prepared to bid for the leadership if the prime minister's premiership falls apart this week. Starmer was hoping to save his job with a speech that sets out his vision for turning the country around on Monday, after a disastrous set of local election results in which the party lost support to Reform UK and the Greens. However, his chances of staying in No 10 appeared to be diminishing on Sunday as about 40 Labour MPs called for him to quit or name an exit date."

"One ally of Streeting told the Guardian: Wes isn't going to challenge Keir but he is preparing in case it all falls apart. Streeting is understood to have delivered this same message to No 10 last week but he will not be the first to make a move against the prime minister. The health secretary's supporters believe he has demonstrated fighting spirit after his local Redbridge council was retained by Labour."

"Catherine West, a Labour backbencher, has already said she will challenge the prime minister for the leadership on Monday if he does not set out a timetable to resign. She would need 80 supporters among Labour MPs and allies of Streeting said they had nothing to do with her plan. However, backers of Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, have been trying to persuade West to withdraw her bid as it would not leave him enough time to enter parliament."

"West's move is widely seen as benefiting Streeting, whose allies believe he has enough support to enter a race, and contenders from the soft left in parliament, including Angela Rayner or Ed Miliband. Supporters of Rayner say she is not set on being the candidate but is also prepared for the possibility of launching a leadership bid. Some on the left have been urging Ed Miliband to be their candidate as an alternative, believing Rayner does not have enough support in the country and given that the HMRC inquiry into Rayner's tax affairs is not yet settled."

Keir Starmer faces intense pressure after Labour’s poor local election results, with Reform UK and the Greens taking support. Allies of Wes Streeting say he will not challenge Starmer directly but is preparing if Starmer’s premiership collapses. Around 40 Labour MPs call for Starmer to quit or name an exit date within the next 24 hours. Catherine West says she will challenge for the leadership on Monday unless Starmer sets a resignation timetable, though her backers would need support from at least 80 Labour MPs. Andy Burnham’s supporters try to persuade West to withdraw, since it could limit his ability to enter parliament. The situation is seen as potentially favoring Streeting and other soft-left contenders such as Angela Rayner or Ed Miliband, with some left figures urging Miliband due to concerns about Rayner’s national support and an ongoing HMRC inquiry into her tax affairs.

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