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Where does Starmer’s leadership stand – and who are his potential challengers?

Andy Burnham done a deal with to get back to Westminster, and would MPs support him if he did? Why has [Wes Streeting](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/wes-streeting) gone so quiet? To the frustration of many

Plan to ban ‘private equity sharks’ from social care dropped, Wes Streeting says

policy out of the manifesto because they were worried it looked “anti-business”. Streeting said “Downing Street delay” meant the [Casey commission](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/mar/06/louise-casey-englands-social-care-system-faces-moment-of-reckoning), a review into reforming the adult social care sector, would

Plaid Cymru leader says he hopes to be made first minister as early as Tuesday

prime minster, whoever that might be, to start looking at Wales in a different way.” Asked if Wales may be treated differently if someone like Andy Burnham took over from Starmer, ap Iorwerth said

No ‘tailor-made’ deal for UK if it wants to rejoin bloc, say former EU Brexit officials

Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, who is seeking a return to Westminster to challenge the prime minister, has previously said he wants Britain to rejoin the bloc within his lifetime. However, on Monday

Energy bills, business rates and HS2: What are Burnham's potential policies?

Andy Burnham's victory in the Makerfield by-election means there is now a real prospect he will challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the leadership of the Labour Party - and the country. During

What does Makerfield make of by-election and can Burnham win?

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to resign, with many of his own MPs calling for him to stand down and start a contest for a new Labour leader. The PM is digging in - and steadfastly

Keir Starmer under pressure to agree exit plan after election mauling

prime minister would deliver a major speech next week in which he would seek to set out a more optimistic vision of the country’s future, Downing Street sources said. The king’s speech

Burnham starts byelection campaign with thinly veiled pitch for No 10

Andy Burnham has formally launched his campaign for the [Makerfield byelection](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/makerfield-byelection) with a barely coded pitch for Downing Street, saying a vote for him to become the MP there was “a vote

What did Keir Starmer say in ‘last chance’ speech to save his premiership?

Andy Burnham would be allowed to give up his Greater Manchester mayoralty and fight for a Westminster seat – and then, very possibly, challenge Starmer. The prime minister is sticking to the line from earlier this

‘Hold the line’: Burnham tells allies in parliament he still has options to return

Andy about doing so. One Burnham ally said: “We thought the local election results would concentrate some peoples’ minds [but] until you’ve got something lined up, you haven’t. “There’s been a couple

UK elections – early results and takeaways; will Starmer have to resign?

policy U-turns, a rotating cast of advisers and the disastrous appointment of [Peter Mandelson](/news/2026/4/16/uks-starmer-under-fire-over-report-mandelson-failed-security-vetting) as the UK’s ambassador to the United States. Mandelson was fired nine months into the job over

British leader Keir Starmer under pressure after heavy election losses

Andy Burnham, is not in parliament. He is the mayor of Greater Manchester and could only return to the House of Commons if another MP stood down and he fought the election to replace them

Public control of water and energy at heart of Burnham agenda, sources say

Andy Burnham on a campaign visit to Ashton-in-Makerfield before the Makerfield byelection. Photograph: Jon Super/AP A spokesperson for Burnham would not comment further on his policy plans. With Labour figures [increasingly confident

UK ex-health minister says will run to replace Prime Minister Keir Starmer

prime minister, saying Labour “arrived in government underprepared in too many areas and lacking clarity of vision and direction”, reported the UK’s Guardian newspaper. ## No ‘confidence’ in Starmer On Thursday, Streeting resigned from

Four key excerpts from Streeting's resignation letter

policy differences and everything to do with Sir Keir's leadership of the Labour Party and the country. Streeting lumps Reform UK, Plaid Cymru and the SNP together as "nationalists" saying they threaten the future

Cost of living and high streets among top priorities for Makerfield voters, poll shows

Andy Burnham](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/andyburnham) to choose as it’s a snapshot of the country in miniature,” Tom Lubbock, co-founder of JL Partners, said. “Voters here care about the cost of living and aren

Labour MPs say ‘endless drama’ of leadership speculation must stop

prime minister could be toppled were putting off voters, who similarly had disliked the Conservatives’ repeated shuffling of leaders when in power. “All people want is a government which works, and not the endless drama

In Britain, Brexit is debated again as Starmer’s grip on power slips

Prime Minister David Lammy has refused to say whether he thinks the UK should rejoin the EU. The Labour Party’s membership is overwhelmingly pro-EU. At the opposite end of the spectrum is Reform

Wes Streeting plans to increase high-skilled immigration if he becomes PM

Andy Burnham and others in a leadership race to replace Keir Starmer as prime minister. Streeting will announce a plan to loosen immigration restrictions in order to “attract the best and the brightest minds from

Ministers could give billions raised by business rates to England’s regions

Andy Burnham](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/jun/05/burnham-pledges-business-rate-cuts-for-pubs-cafes-and-other-small-businesses) if he takes over as prime minister, given Burnham’s commitment to devolution. Reed told the Guardian: “The chancellor pointed to devolving aspects of income tax, as we discussed