Who could replace UK’s Keir Starmer as calls for resignations grow?

The political pressure on United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer has dramatically increased after Labour’s crushing performance in Britain’s recent local and devolved elections.

The results have exposed the internal revolt against his leadership, with dozens of MPs, ministerial aides and senior party figures openly questioning whether he can remain in office until the next general election.

The recent developments have emerged as the most serious threat to Starmer’s authority since Labour returned to power in July 2024.

The unrest escalated on Monday when four ministerial aides resigned from government positions, arguing that Starmer was no longer the right figure to lead Labour into the next national vote scheduled for 2029.

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Their resignations came as reports suggested that more than 70 Labour MPs had either privately or publicly backed calls for change at the top.

Starmer attempted to halt the rebellion during a major speech in London, where he appealed directly to party members and supporters to avoid plunging Labour into a prolonged leadership struggle.

He acknowledged the scale of the electoral defeat and accepted responsibility for the outcome, but insisted he would not abandon the party during a turbulent political period.

What led to Starmer's leadership crisis?

The immediate trigger for the current turmoil was Labour’s disastrous showing in the recent local and devolved elections, which many inside the party had already described as a defining moment for Starmer’s premiership even before the first results were declared.

The scale of the losses proved far worse than many Labour strategists had anticipated.

Labour reportedly lost nearly 1,500 council seats across England and surrendered control of more than 25 local authorities.

The party also suffered severe setbacks in Wales, where it was reduced to what critics described as a political “rump”, while failing to make major gains in Scotland.

In northern England, areas that had supported Labour for decades swung sharply toward Nigel Farage and Reform UK. Several councils historically associated with Labour support were captured by Reform candidates, reinforcing concerns among MPs that the party is losing touch with working-class communities.

At the same time, Labour also lost support on the left. The Green Party made advances in urban centres, including in London boroughs once regarded as secure Labour territory. Green Party leader Zack Polanski and other Green figures were credited with drawing progressive voters away from Labour in several metropolitan constituencies.

The dual challenge from Reform UK and the Greens has deepened anxiety among Labour lawmakers, many of whom believe the party’s traditional “centre-ground” coalition is rapidly fragmenting.

Compounding the electoral setbacks were controversies that had already weakened confidence in Starmer’s administration over recent months.

Among the most damaging was the fallout from the Peter Mandelson (former British Ambassador to the United States) security vetting controversy, which critics inside the party argued undermined Labour’s claims of clean governance and professionalism.

Economic policy decisions also generated backlash. Labour’s decision to reduce the Winter Fuel Allowance angered sections of its older voter base, while MPs on the left criticised what they described as the government’s failure to present a convincing long-term growth strategy.

How has Starmer's Cabinet responded?

Reports from multiple British media outlets suggested that influential cabinet figures had privately urged the prime minister to consider an orderly transition of power.

UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper was reported to have told Starmer that he should oversee a structured transfer of leadership rather than fight a prolonged internal battle. Meanwhile, ITV reported that Deputy UK PM David Lammy also wanted the prime minister to provide a clearer departure timetable.

There were also claims that UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband had encouraged Starmer to outline plans for his eventual exit even before the election results were announced.

The revolt inside Labour became increasingly public after four ministerial aides resigned from their positions, stating that they no longer believed Starmer was the right leader for the party.

The resignations were viewed by many Westminster observers as an attempt to accelerate momentum toward a formal leadership challenge that could potentially last weeks or months.

Downing Street responded quickly by appointing replacements to several of the vacated posts, but the move did little to halt speculation about the prime minister’s future.

At the same time, Labour MPs from different ideological wings of the party began openly discussing possible successors.

Some MPs argued that Labour needed an experienced figure capable of reconnecting with working-class voters who had moved toward Reform UK. Others believed the party required a complete generational reset with a fresher political face unconnected to the current leadership’s failures.

Critics accused Starmer of struggling to establish a clear ideological identity for the administration, while supporters argued that leadership instability would only worsen Labour’s problems and create further uncertainty.

Who could replace Starmer?

Andy Burnham seen as a strong outsider option

Among all the names being discussed, Andy Burnham has emerged as one of the most widely talked-about alternatives to Starmer.

Burnham, who currently serves as mayor of Greater Manchester, has spent months being linked with a potential return to frontline national politics.

Popular among sections of Labour MPs, party members and parts of the wider public, he is increasingly viewed as a candidate capable of rebuilding Labour’s support in areas drifting toward Reform UK.

Recent polling cited in British media reports suggested that Burnham enjoyed stronger popularity ratings than Starmer among many voters.

One survey indicated that 34 per cent of Britons believed he would perform better as prime minister than the current Labour leader, while separate polling reportedly showed 42 per cent support for Burnham among Labour members.

Speculation surrounding his ambitions increased during Labour’s conference last September, when Burnham acknowledged that dozens of MPs had privately urged him to challenge Starmer.

Although he has repeatedly avoided formally declaring leadership intentions, he has also declined to completely dismiss the possibility of a future bid.

One major obstacle remains his status outside Parliament. Because Burnham is not currently a sitting MP, he cannot immediately enter a leadership contest under normal circumstances.

However, reports suggested that Labour’s National Executive Committee had become more open to allowing him a pathway back into Westminster through a by-election if the leadership situation deteriorated further.

Supporters argue that Burnham’s distance from the current cabinet gives him an advantage over rivals more closely associated with the government’s recent struggles.

He is also viewed by some MPs as someone capable of presenting himself as an “outsider” despite his long Labour career, particularly because of his focus on regional devolution and local government issues.

Angela Rayner’s influence remains significant

Another major figure in the leadership discussion is Angela Rayner, whose standing inside the party remains strong despite resigning from Starmer’s Cabinet in September 2025.

Rayner stepped down after it emerged that she had underpaid stamp duty connected to her Brighton property, leading to an HMRC inquiry that placed her under intense scrutiny. Even after leaving government, however, she retained substantial influence among Labour’s soft-left faction.

Many MPs continue to view Rayner as one of the party’s strongest communicators and one of the few senior Labour figures capable of reconnecting with working-class voters.

Her criticism of Starmer has become increasingly pointed in recent months.

Earlier this year, Rayner warned that Labour was “running out of time” to produce meaningful change and cautioned against allowing the party to “go through the motions in the face of decline”.

Following Labour’s disastrous election performance, she increased pressure further by urging Starmer to “set out the change our country needs” and warning that the party was facing its “last chance”.

Rumours of cooperation between Rayner and Burnham also circulated after meetings between the two figures amid growing dissatisfaction with Starmer’s leadership.

Some reports suggested Rayner could position herself as a kingmaker in a future contest or even participate in a joint leadership arrangement with Burnham, although no formal alliance has been announced.

Wes Streeting emerges as leading cabinet contender

While Burnham and Rayner are viewed as influential figures outside the current cabinet structure, UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting is increasingly regarded as the strongest potential replacement from within Starmer’s government.

Streeting has developed a reputation as one of Labour’s most media-savvy ministers and is seen by supporters as a politician capable of appealing to a broad national audience.

Positioned on Labour’s centre-right or Blairite wing, he is believed to have built significant support among MPs.

Reports indicated that Streeting may already have secured the backing of more than 81 Labour MPs — the threshold required to trigger a formal leadership challenge.

Speculation surrounding his ambitions intensified after a Downing Street staff member was reportedly accidentally sent messages containing details of Streeting’s leadership preparations, including references to the “five pillars” of a future campaign and a “plan for government”.

Supporters argue that Streeting’s communication skills and public profile make him one of Labour’s most electable figures.

However, his candidacy would almost certainly face resistance from parts of Labour’s left flank.

Some MPs and activists reportedly view him with suspicion because of his centrist political positioning, and there have already been discussions about a possible “Stop Wes” campaign among certain backbench groups.

In response to such criticism, Streeting has reportedly attempted to broaden his appeal by softening or adjusting some policy positions, particularly on welfare issues and the Gaza conflict.

Other names entering the conversation

Beyond the three most prominent figures, several other Labour politicians have emerged as possible contenders or compromise candidates.

Ed Miliband has unexpectedly reappeared in leadership discussions more than a decade after leading Labour into the 2015 general election defeat.

As energy secretary, Miliband has become closely associated with Labour’s net-zero agenda and green energy transition policies. He has also developed a strong following among younger progressive voters, including on social media platforms.

Although some MPs remain sceptical about returning to a former leader, others view Miliband as a possible unity candidate capable of bridging divides between Labour’s ideological factions.

Rachel Reeves is also occasionally mentioned as a continuity option because of her central role in Labour’s economic strategy. However, critics argue that her close association with Starmer’s administration could limit her ability to present herself as a fresh start.

Catherine West became the first Labour MP to openly threaten a leadership challenge after publicly arguing that the cabinet should “reorganise themselves” and identify their “best communicator” to replace Starmer.

West said that if senior ministers failed to act, she would attempt to gather the 80 nominations needed to initiate a contest herself.

Although she later backed away from mounting a direct challenge, her intervention highlighted the growing frustration among Labour backbenchers.

Another emerging figure is Al Carns, a former Royal Marines commander who entered Parliament as part of Labour’s 2024 intake.

Some MPs from the newer parliamentary cohort have reportedly argued that Labour should stop relying on “the same familiar faces” and instead choose a leader capable of symbolising genuine change.

One member of the 2024 intake told The Independent, “Why are we turning once again to the same familiar faces to solve problems they were involved in creating?

“If we want to demonstrate genuine change to the public, we need a fresh face leading that change.”

UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has also attracted attention after being elevated during the cabinet reshuffle that followed Rayner’s resignation.

Associated with Labour’s Blue Labour faction, Mahmood has cultivated a tougher stance on immigration and law-and-order issues. She previously hinted at leadership ambitions when she remarked that voters should not trust politicians who claimed they had no interest in becoming prime minister.

Meanwhile, UK Defence Secretary John Healey has been discussed as a potential compromise or unity figure capable of bridging Labour’s ideological divisions.

Supporters point to his experience in defence policy, backing for Nato, support for Ukraine and handling of West Asia tensions as evidence of his credibility on the international stage.

What next for Starmer?

The first major test for Starmer is the upcoming King’s Speech, where Labour MPs will closely examine the government’s legislative programme.

Critics inside the party believe that if the speech fails to inspire confidence or provide a convincing policy direction, momentum for a formal challenge could accelerate rapidly.

Another crucial moment will come during the upcoming EU summit, where Starmer hopes to demonstrate progress in rebuilding Britain’s relationship with Brussels.

The prime minister is reportedly banking on a breakthrough in negotiations, including progress on a youth mobility agreement, to show that his government can still deliver significant achievements.

However, some Labour figures reportedly believe that if the summit fails to produce tangible political gains, pressure could escalate for Starmer to negotiate a “dignified exit” after Labour’s autumn conference.

For now, Starmer remains publicly defiant, insisting that he will not resign and arguing that Labour would only deepen its problems by entering a divisive leadership struggle.

With inputs from agencies