With rebellious Labour lawmakers calling on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to set out a timetable for his departure, speculation is rife about who might replace him. To mount a challenge, any contender would need the support of 81 Labour lawmakers (20 percent of the total) and the final decision would be taken by members of the party. There are a number of potential contenders and leadership contests sometime produce unexpected results.
But here are three top contenders as things stand.
Andy Burnham
The political momentum is with Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, in northern England, and the only senior Labour figure who seems significantly more popular with voters than Mr. Starmer, according to opinion polls. The snag is that he would have to win a seat in Parliament before mounting a challenge, as only a lawmaker can be Labour leader. That could take weeks, if not much longer, to organize, so a longer timetable for Mr. Starmer to stand aside would suit his ambitions.
Wes Streeting
Wes Streeting, the health secretary, has support on the right of the party and is widely recognized as one of the government’s most effective communicators. But he has been damaged by links to Peter Mandelson, who was fired as Britain’s ambassador to Washington when the depth of his friendship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein was revealed. It could be to Mr. Streeting’s advantage to have a swift contest to succeed Mr. Starmer because Mr. Burnham would likely not be able to run.
Angela Rayner
In Mr. Burnham’s absence, Angela Rayner, the former deputy leader, is probably the favored candidate of the left of the party. She resigned last year, however, over a tax imbroglio that is still unresolved.
On Sunday, Ms. Rayner increased the pressure on Mr. Starmer by issuing a statement criticizing a “toxic culture of cronyism” within Labour, warning that the party may be on its “last chance.” She also described a decision by party bosses this year to prevent Mr. Burnham from trying to run in a special election for Parliament as “a mistake.” That could suggest that Ms. Rayner would prefer to support a bid by Mr. Burnham to take over, rather than to challenge Mr. Starmer herself.
Stephen Castle is a London correspondent of The Times, writing widely about Britain, its politics and the country’s relationship with Europe.
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