UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is facing mounting speculation about his leadership as concerns grow within the Labour Party that his position could be under threat shortly after the upcoming Budget. Despite the internal unease, allies of the prime minister have vowed that Starmer will “fight any challenge” from within his party.
Sources close to Starmer describe Downing Street as being in “full bunker mode,” amid fears of behind-the-scenes plotting to replace him. Some Labour MPs have reportedly floated names such as Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband as potential successors. However, Starmer’s allies argue that challenging the prime minister would be “madness” less than 18 months into Labour’s term.
A senior minister insisted, “This is not a Hartlepool moment,” referencing Starmer’s 2021 by-election loss that nearly prompted his resignation as Labour leader. They added, “He is one of only two people alive who have won a general election for Labour.”
The speculation has been fuelled by concerns over Labour’s poor polling numbers and fears of disappointing results in next May’s local and devolved elections. Some MPs believe the party cannot afford to wait that long before contemplating a change in leadership.
A source close to Downing Street dismissed the rumours as “nonsense,” accusing Starmer’s critics of fuelling internal division. “A circular firing squad won’t help the government out of the hole we’re in,” one insider said.
Labour peer Maurice Glasman downplayed the chatter, telling BBC Newsnight that there is no credible alternative to Starmer. “There isn’t a clear direction or strategy among the challengers,” he said, adding that he fully supports the prime minister.
Starmer’s supporters warn that a leadership contest would mirror the chaos that plagued the final years of Conservative rule, potentially unsettling markets and undermining Labour’s stability. Despite his unpopularity in polls, they argue that Starmer remains the party’s best hope to counter Reform UK and its leader, Nigel Farage — a battle he sees as “generation-defining.”
