Title: Contenders Who May Challenge Keir Starmer

The political standing of the Prime Minister is currently precarious following the resignation of Health Secretary Wes Streeting from the government. While Sir Keir Starmer has not yet initiated a formal leadership contest, associates of Streeting indicated to the BBC that they anticipated he would launch a challenge against the Prime Minister as early as Thursday. This development follows pressure from nearly 90 Members of Parliament and several ministers urging Sir Keir to step down, whether immediately or in the near future. Despite this unrest, Labour MPs remain divided regarding who they prefer to succeed Sir Keir as both Labour leader and head of the government. Downing Street has confirmed that Sir Keir intends to defend his position against any leadership bid. Although no other figures have publicly declared their candidacy, the following individuals are considered potential rivals.

Wes Streeting

Since Labour assumed power in 2024, Streeting has served as Health Secretary, a role he previously held in opposition for three years. Elected to Parliament for the first time in 2015, his background includes tenure as a London councillor and president of the National Union of Students. In his 2023 autobiography, he detailed his upbringing in a London East End council flat, his experiences as a gay Christian, and visits to his grandfather, a bank robber, while he was incarcerated.

Streeting is widely regarded as the cabinet’s most effective communicator. He cites the reduction in NHS waiting lists as a key governmental achievement. Having previously expressed interest in the leadership, he commands significant backing from Labour MPs, especially those aligned with the party’s centre and right wings. His cabinet allies include Science Secretary Liz Kendall and Business Secretary Peter Kyle. However, his positioning as a potential "right-wing" contender might alienate party members, who generally lean further to the left than the parliamentary party.

Andy Burnham

Burnham enjoys robust support from Labour MPs and polling indicates he is the party’s most popular figure among the general public. With nearly a decade of experience as Greater Manchester mayor, earning him the moniker "the King of the North," he has a substantial governing record. Burnham has been transparent about his desire to lead the party.

His path to Number 10 faces a significant hurdle: he is not currently an MP. However, Labour MP Josh Simons has resigned from his Macclesfield seat, located near Manchester. Burnham must now be selected as the Labour candidate by the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to contest the Macclesfield by-election. If successful, he could enter the premiership race, contingent on securing the backing of 81 MPs. Earlier this year, the NEC blocked his attempt to become Labour’s candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election.

If he returns to Westminster, it will be his second term. He previously served as MP for Leigh from 2001 to 2017, during which he held senior roles in the health and culture departments. At 56, Burnham has twice previously sought the party leadership, finishing second to Jeremy Corbyn in 2015 and losing to Ed Miliband in 2010. His parliamentary support is largely drawn from the party’s left and MPs from the North West. Potential allies include Deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, both of whom would likely back his bid if he were eligible to run.

Angela Rayner

Until last year, Angela Rayner served as Deputy Prime Minister, making her the most powerful woman in British politics. Her rise from poverty, leaving school at 16 with no qualifications, is considered remarkable. Her career began through her work as a care worker and involvement with the trade union Unison, which served as a springboard into politics.

Elected in the Greater Manchester constituency of Ashton-under-Lyne in 2015, she rapidly ascended in Westminster, eventually serving in Jeremy Corbyn’s shadow cabinet.

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-05-15 03:34:33 UTC