LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confronted mounting uncertainty Thursday as influential Labour Party figures positioned themselves to contest his leadership amid growing calls from party lawmakers for his resignation.
Sources close to Health Secretary Wes Streeting indicated he was organizing a leadership bid, with plans to make a public statement later Thursday.
Meanwhile, former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner revealed she had resolved a tax matter that led to her Cabinet resignation last year, positioning her to potentially enter a leadership race. Speaking to the Guardian newspaper, Rayner suggested Starmer should “reflect on” his position and stated she was prepared to “play my part” in a leadership contest should Streeting initiate one.
The struggling prime minister finds himself in a vulnerable position after Labour’s devastating performance in recent local and regional elections. Over 80 members of Parliament have subsequently called for him to establish a timeline for his exit, though none have directly confronted Starmer yet.
Despite the pressure, Starmer maintains he will not resign and retains backing from party allies. More than 100 legislators have endorsed a letter declaring it’s “no time” for a leadership battle.
Either Streeting or Rayner would require signatures from a minimum of 81 Labour MPs to formally launch a challenge.
Here’s the latest:
As leadership rumors intensify, better-than-expected UK economic data has received little attention.
Upon taking office in July 2024, Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared improving the nation’s sluggish growth performance over the past 15 years his top priority.
Government data released Thursday revealed growth was moving positively during the first quarter of 2026, despite negative effects from the beginning of the Iran conflict.
The Office for National Statistics reported a 0.6% growth increase in the first quarter compared to the prior three-month period, with most industries showing improvement. Enhanced growth translates to increased tax income for Labour’s agenda and potentially reduced government borrowing.
Treasury chief Rachel Reeves, who has faced widespread criticism for policy failures that damaged Labour’s standing, cautioned party members against endangering the economy by “plunging the country into chaos.”
A former Royal Marine with distinguished Afghanistan service is emerging as a possible successor to Starmer should a leadership contest develop.
Al Carns, currently serving as armed forces minister in Starmer’s Labour administration, has gained prominence within the party since winning his parliamentary seat in Labour’s 2024 electoral sweep.
The 46-year-old Carns possesses a compelling background that might appeal to various Labour factions. Beyond his decorated Afghanistan service, which earned him the Military Cross in 2011, Carns grew up in a working-class household in the Scottish oil city of Aberdeen, raised by a single mother.
“We do not need more slogans, strategies, press releases or commissions,” Carns wrote in a Thursday article for The New Statesman magazine, “We need action.”
His potential vulnerability lies in limited experience. Replacing a leader criticized for political inexperience with a parliamentary newcomer, despite their appealing background, presents risks.
Attempts to remove Starmer appeared poised to escalate into open revolt Thursday, with one potential challenger expected to declare candidacy and another preparing to enter any upcoming leadership race.
Associates of Health Secretary Wes Streeting indicated he would make an announcement Thursday after securing sufficient support from governing Labour Party lawmakers to challenge Starmer for party and government leadership.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner announced Thursday she had settled matters with tax officials regarding questions that prompted her Cabinet departure last September. Speaking to the Guardian newspaper, Rayner urged Starmer to “reflect on” his position and expressed readiness to “play my part” in a leadership election should Streeting trigger a contest.
Demands for Starmer to resign or face a leadership challenge have grown since Labour’s catastrophic performance in last week’s local and regional elections.
