Translation result.
Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting Enters Race
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham Also Throws His Hat In
Within the ruling Labour Party, criticism blaming Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the election defeat has spread, and a leadership contest is now underway. With senior figures declaring their bids, analysts say the party has effectively entered an early contest to replace Starmer.
On the 20th (local time), British media reported that growing distrust of Starmer’s leadership has prompted several potential contenders to move into the race. In the UK’s parliamentary system, the leader of the majority party becomes prime minister. Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned from his ministerial post after calling for Starmer to step down, and on the 16th — two days after his resignation — he announced his intention to run, saying the best candidates must have a proper contest. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham also confirmed his challenge that day. Because only sitting MPs can serve as party leader, Burnham declared he would stand in the Makerfield by-election. The Labour Party’s national executive approved Burnham’s candidacy on the 15th.
Former deputy leader Angela Rayner is also seen as a likely contender. She has not officially declared, but party insiders say that the clearance of tax-related allegations that had hampered her has eased her political burden. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, who handles illegal-immigration enforcement, and Energy Security Secretary Ed Miliband, a former Labour leader, are also listed as potential candidates. Miliband, in particular, attracts support from the party’s progressive membership that prioritizes the climate agenda.
The leadership contest is likely to pick up pace only after Burnham secures a parliamentary seat in the by-election. The BBC expects the Makerfield by-election to be held around the 18th of next month. Under Labour rules, a candidate must secure the backing of 81 MPs — 20% of the parliamentary party — to enter the ballot. If Starmer refuses to step down voluntarily, the party will still need to complete the process to meet that threshold, which could delay the actual contest.
If Starmer is replaced, Britain would have its seventh prime minister in the past decade. That would follow five Conservative predecessors — David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak — and mark only the second change of prime minister from within Labour in recent years. The Financial Times has warned that while Britain has often been cited as a model of stable governance, frequent changes in the premiership could undermine that standing.
Despite mounting calls within the party for his removal, Starmer formally refused to resign on the 18th.
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