Search

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

leadership speculation, as Downing Street begins a fightback against predictions of an imminent challenge to [Keir Starmer](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/keir-starmer). Some backbenchers warned that repeated briefings about how and when the prime minister could

Can Starmer survive as PM? Seven scenarios for what might happen next

Wes Streeting, Angela Rayner or any other Labour heavyweight with eyes on Number 10. Streeting backed the prime minister on Friday, but did not explicitly rule out standing in any contest. Rayner has not commented

Starmer’s failure to demonstrate strong values ‘driving away progressive voters’

Wes Streeting and Angela Rayner. Labour is braced for dismal results [in Thursday’s elections](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/may/07/local-elections-labour-test-greens-reform-lib-dems-tories-england-scotland-wales-polls), which could result in [Starmer facing a leadership challenge](https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/05/labour-leadership-challenge-bond-markets-angela-rayner-andy-burnham-keir-starmer). The report from

Wes Streeting faces narrow road to Labour members’ favour

Wes Streeting](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/wes-streeting), one of those with ambitions to succeed Keir Starmer, is that many of Labour’s do not like him. Just before Labour’s heavy local election losses, [a Compass survey

Analysis: Has Starmer done enough to save his premiership?

leadership contest right now. A sigh of relief, in the immediate moment at least, for Downing Street - and for the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, as she is now advocating that the prime minister

Starmer to face split cabinet as demands for his resignation mount

Wes Streeting, former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. However, Rayner’s ability to run is hampered until an investigation into her tax affairs is resolved. She resigned

‘It’s Andy or bust’: could Burnham’s return to parliament save Starmer?

support in any summer leadership race, which might be triggered by a direct challenge. “This has changed in the last few months – MPs have coalesced around Burnham in a way they hadn’t before. They

‘No other plan comes close’: Labour MPs turn to Burnham as pressure mounts on Starmer

Wes Streeting and Angela Rayner were buttering up [Labour](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/labour) MPs in the Strangers’ Bar in parliament as colleagues spoke of their “existential” fear about the crucial elections next week. Starmer, meanwhile, tried