Keir Starmer is facing a critical 24 hours in his leadership. According to The Guardian, approximately 40 Labour MPs have called for his resignation, including many supporters of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, who are pushing for the Prime Minister to step down.
Wes Streeting and former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner are already positioning themselves for a potential succession. A confidant of Streeting told the Guardian, "Wes will not challenge Keir, but he is preparing in case everything falls apart." Streeting has communicated this message to Downing Street but does not want to take the first step against the Prime Minister, although some of his allies believe that after Starmer's speech on Monday, an attack would be timely.
Angela Rayner, who has not been part of the government since the cabinet reshuffle in February, has laid out her own reform demands and warned Starmer that he must "rise to the moment." Her supporters emphasize that she is not actively seeking candidacy but is prepared for a potential leadership change. Rayner also supports a return of Andy Burnham to the House of Commons, who is seen as the most promising candidate to succeed Starmer.
The leadership crisis has intensified following a devastating defeat in the local elections, where Labour lost votes to the right-wing Reform UK and the Greens. Starmer plans to address the "great challenges" in growth, energy, defense, and Europe in a speech on Monday. The Guardian quotes a former Labour adviser stating, "A leadership change will not solve the problems."
