Wes Streeting is still licking his lips to oust Starmer – but 1 person will beat him to it
The Labour leader is under renewed pressure after another calamitous U-turn and dire poll ratings
Someone else is waiting in the wings to take over from Keir Starmer (Image: Getty)
New year, same old problems for Keir Starmer. The embattled Prime Minister might have hoped that his latest “reset” – focussing on the cost of living – would revive his fortunes.
But another humiliating U-turn, on business rates for pubs, have again fuelled rumours of a leadership challenge. Pesky wannabe-PMs are never far away it seems. Wes Streeting, who came very close to going over the top in an Autumn of discontent, is still licking his lips at the prospect of challenging for the Labour top job.
Andy Burnham is said to be making some moves to oust Starmer (Image: Getty)
Now it seems Andy Burnham, the Manchester mayor who exploded on the launchpad of his own botched coup, is reportedly plotting a new route into No 10.
Burnham has reportedly done a secret deal to run as an MP once shamed Labour colleague Andrew Gwynne announces he is standing down from his seat of Gorton and Denton in March.
He could then contest the seat in a by-election on May 7, local election day. That would certainly spice things up on a day which is already expected to be a bloodbath for Labour, and the Tories, with Welsh and Scottish elections also up for grabs.
Reform UK’s expected landslide is widely-considered to be the moment that could trigger a leadership battle.
But there is a growing number of fed-up Labour figures who don’t want to wait that long.
Whether it’s Streeting from the Labour-right or the omni-wing Burnham, they are likely to face a challenger from the Left – namely Angela Rayner or Ed Miliband. Sir Keir does have a few crumbs of hope.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting tried to stir up a leadership battle in 2025 (Image: Getty Images)
No potential contender commands overwhelming support in the party or the country.
Meanwhile, the PM has won some praise for his role marshalling international support for Ukraine.
Thirdly, Labour MPs will remember how the public were turned off the Tories by their regular decapitation sessions.
The worst case scenario for Labour is that getting rid of the leader will not reboot the party but send it closer to oblivion while making Nigel Farage look even more of a prime minister-in-waiting.
It might already be too late.
