LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer finds himself fighting to keep his position after his Labour Party experienced devastating losses in recent local elections that, if replicated nationally, would result in the party being voted out of office entirely.
Although Labour secured an overwhelming electoral triumph in July 2024, the party’s approval ratings have plummeted, with much of the criticism directed at Starmer personally.
Multiple factors have contributed to this decline, including strategic policy errors, what critics see as a lack of clear direction, Britain’s economic difficulties, and concerns about his decision-making abilities — particularly his choice to name Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to the United States despite Mandelson’s connections to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
While the next nationwide British election isn’t required until 2029, the UK political system permits parties to replace their leaders during their term without calling a general election.
Numerous Labour members believe the only path to restoring the government’s standing and countering challenges from both conservative and progressive opponents is for Starmer to step down immediately.
“We have to change and we have to do it quickly,” stated Labour lawmaker Catherine West. “We have to lay out a timetable and we have to turn this ship around.”
However, replacing a leader presents significant challenges. Labour, in contrast to the primary opposition Conservative Party, lacks a tradition of removing its leaders. Several pathways exist for Starmer’s departure, though some are more feasible than others.
The most direct approach would involve Starmer declaring his intent to step down, which would initiate a leadership election within Labour. Such a resignation might occur if Cabinet members inform Starmer he has lost party support, or if government officials resign in protest.
Should Starmer choose to resign, the Cabinet and Labour’s governing committee would likely select a temporary leader to serve as prime minister, presumably someone not seeking the permanent Labour leadership position. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy could serve in this capacity.
According to Labour’s procedures, leadership candidates must secure backing from one-fifth of the party’s House of Commons members — currently requiring 81 supporters.
Candidates meeting this requirement must then obtain endorsement from 5% of local constituency organizations, or from at least three affiliated groups such as labor unions and cooperative organizations.
Party members and affiliates would then select the leader through a ranking system. Victory requires the first candidate to achieve more than 50% support.
King Charles III would subsequently invite the winner to become prime minister and establish a new government.
Starmer has maintained he will not resign, arguing such action would “plunge the country into chaos.”
If Starmer refuses to step down, he could face challenges from fellow Labour parliamentarians.
West became the first to act, announcing Saturday her intention to seek the party leadership if the Cabinet failed to remove Starmer by Monday. West admitted she lacks the necessary 81 colleagues’ support to trigger a leadership contest, with her action appearing designed to pressure more prominent potential candidates to act.
Unlike the Conservative Party, which has historically removed leaders including Margaret Thatcher in 1990 and Boris Johnson in 2022, Labour lacks this precedent. No Labour prime minister has ever been forced out, though Tony Blair announced his resignation plans in 2007 following a series of minor resignations.
Potential challengers would need to satisfy the eligibility requirements mentioned above, but Starmer would automatically appear on the ballot.
Those believed to have leadership aspirations include Health Secretary Wes Streeting and former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, who resigned last year after admitting insufficient tax payments on a property purchase. An investigation into that matter continues.
Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester’s well-regarded mayor, is widely viewed as among the strongest potential candidates. However, he currently cannot run because he’s not in Parliament. Earlier this year, Labour leadership prevented him from competing in a special parliamentary election.
Nevertheless, if Starmer signals his intention to retire — perhaps at Labour’s September annual conference — arrangements could be made for Burnham’s return to the House of Commons. A Labour member in a secure seat could resign, creating another opportunity for Burnham. However, winning such a special election presents challenges, given recent local election outcomes.
