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Starmer faces leadership challenge threats as Labour infighting intensifies
Allies of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer are rallying to defend his leadership amid growing speculation of an internal challenge from Labour MPs, with tensions escalating ahead of the upcoming Budget in two weeks. Sources close to Starmer warn that his position could be under immediate threat, as critics accuse Downing Street of operating in "full bunker mode"-a strategy they argue will not resolve the government's mounting crises.
Potential challengers emerge
Among those reportedly being discussed as possible successors are some of Starmer's closest cabinet allies, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, now a backbencher, have also been named in speculative conversations. Streeting, in particular, has drawn suspicion from Starmer loyalists, though he dismissed the claims as "self-defeating nonsense" during an appearance on BBC Breakfast.
"I cannot see circumstances under which I would do that to our prime minister," Streeting stated, condemning the briefing against him as "the worst attack on a faithful since Joe Marler was banished in The Traitors final." He also criticized the "toxic culture" in Downing Street, urging reform.
Political calculus and party rules
While opinion polls suggest Starmer is deeply unpopular-potentially the least favored British prime minister in modern polling history-removing him would require significant coordination. Under Labour's rules, a leadership challenge demands nominations from 20% of the party's MPs, equivalent to 81 signatures given the current parliamentary numbers. This high threshold complicates any immediate move against Starmer, though discontent is growing.
Many in Labour acknowledge an impending "crunch point" after devolved elections in Scotland and Wales, as well as local elections across England, scheduled for May. Poor performance in these contests could further destabilize Starmer's leadership. "It's all very well to say wait for the locals, but that's my activist base I'm sending into the gunfire. I can't lose all my councillors," one senior Labour MP told reporters, highlighting the urgency some feel to act sooner.
Downing Street's defensive stance
A government source described Downing Street as having "gone into full bunker mode," turning on loyal cabinet members without justification. "Unfortunately, there is a pattern of Keir's team briefing against his own people-they did it to Angela [Rayner], Lisa [Nandy], Lucy [Powell], now it's Wes's turn," the source added, warning that internal strife risks deepening the government's troubles.
Supporters of Starmer argue that a leadership contest would mirror the chaos of the Conservatives' final years in power, destabilizing markets and jeopardizing Starmer's diplomatic relationships, including his rapport with U.S. President Trump. "He is one of only two people alive who have won a general election for Labour. It'd be madness to run against him after 17 months," one minister asserted, referencing Starmer's resilience during the 2021 Hartlepool by-election loss.
Divided opinions on Starmer's future
Critics within the party paint a bleak picture of Starmer's standing. "It's terrible. He is hated out there. It is worse than it got under Corbyn. I don't see how this is sustainable until May," one minister admitted. Others, however, caution against overreacting. Labour peer Maurice Glasman dismissed the leadership chatter as "just noise," arguing that none of the potential challengers have presented a coherent alternative vision.
Glasman singled out Mahmood as the sole figure of "genuine quality" among those discussed but reiterated his support for Starmer, opposing any challenge. "There isn't a clear direction, there isn't a clear strategy... none of the candidates challenging Keir have any idea either," he stated on BBC Two's Newsnight.
The Reform UK factor
Starmer's allies emphasize the existential threat posed by Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, framing the battle against the party as a defining struggle for Labour's future. "The choice isn't between us and perfection, it's between us and Reform," a cabinet minister supportive of Starmer remarked. The prime minister himself reportedly believes he is best positioned to counter Farage's rise, though skepticism persists among colleagues.
"We are not like the Tories. We're not going to change leader more than once in a parliament," a newly elected Labour MP stated, reflecting the party's reluctance to repeat the Conservatives' cycle of leadership turnover. Yet, with polls indicating Labour's support has dwindled to as little as one-fifth of the electorate, the pressure on Starmer-and the debate over his future-shows no signs of abating.
