London : Sir Keir is expected to face a leadership challenge as early as Thursday.
Sir Keir Starmer’s future as Britain’s prime minister remains on life support, amid mounting speculation he could face a leadership challenge as early as Thursday.
The United Kingdom’s Labour government has been feasting on itself since a series of diabolical local election results last week sparked panic among a swathe of MPs.
Sir Keir has faced growing calls from colleagues to step down since the weekend, although, thus far, no serious contenders have thrown their hats in the ring.
However, that could change on Thursday, local time, as expectations build that Health Secretary Wes Streeting will resign from the cabinet and announce he wants the PM’s job.
Sir Keir and Mr Streeting met briefly in London on Wednesday morning and the latter’s supporters have said they expect a challenge imminently.
The pair’s chat lasted less than 20 minutes. Details of the conversation were not made public, although the fact they spoke at all was enough to send Westminster’s rumour mill into overdrive.
Later, Sir Keir’s official spokesperson told reporters the PM had “full confidence” in his health secretary.
By noon on Wednesday, the infighting engulfing Labour was paused, publicly at least, as King Charles III opened a new parliamentary session. In line with British tradition, the monarch outlined his government’s agenda for the months ahead.
It was reported earlier this week that the palace had been nervous about the controversy engulfing the government and had questioned whether the ceremony should proceed as planned.
The PM’s office writes the speech the king delivers, although this year, it’s not clear whether Sir Keir, or someone else, will be the one who eventually oversees delivering the policies.
Luke Akehurst, a Labour MP from northern England, told the ABC he was “extremely angry” about the attempts to oust his party’s leader, and urged Mr Streeting not to challenge.
“If he happens to be watching your channel, then I would urge him not to resign and to stay as part of the team with Keir Starmer to help to turn round the Labour Party’s fortunes rather than to cause a disruptive election,” Mr Akehurst said.
But Sir Keir has plenty of detractors within his own party.
Charlotte Nichols, MP for Warrington North, said the issues with the PM go “far deeper” than local election results.
“He does not have the domestic grip to drive forward even the popular policies he has put his own name to,” she told the ABC.
Ms Nichols said she and her colleagues had been told “time and again” that Sir Keir would make changes and “be bolder to meet the political moment our country finds itself in”.
“There are only so many times you can give him another chance, or more time and hope he can turn it around,” she said.
Australian-born MP’s plot to oust British PM
Up until the past few days, Catherine West kept a low profile, as far as politicians go. Most Brits would never have come across the Australian-born, London-based MP before, but that all changed at the weekend.
The prime minister was defiant at the dispatch box when debate began in parliament in the afternoon, and traded barbs with Opposition Leader Kemi Badenoch.
“Our parties both had tough results at the local elections last week,” Sir Keir told the House of Commons. “The difference is she hasn’t noticed.”
Meanwhile, Ms Badenoch smiled as she said Labour MPs “can’t wait to get back to their plotting”.
“They are so arrogant. They want to lead our country. They can’t even lead a coup,” she quipped.
Outside parliament, it was not hard to find criticisms. Conservative MP Alex Burghart told the ABC the Starmer government was “a pig’s breakfast”.
“It’s an absolute mess,” he said. “The prime minister has lost all of his authority and is clinging on to office, and that’s bad for the country.”
Labour rules state prospective candidates need the support of at least 81 of the party’s MPs to be included on the ballot in a leadership challenge.
Several people within the government are known to have aspirations of holding the country’s top job.
Which one has the most support really depends on who you talk to.
Sir Keir stormed to power less than two years ago as his party won a massive majority in Britain’s 650-seat lower house.
However, analysts have pointed out that the result was likely more a reflection of how loathed the previous Conservative government was than of support for Labour.
Since the landslide victory, Sir Keir’s popularity has plummeted, and his government has been ridiculed, largely due to multiple policy backflips and scandals.
Another general election does not need to be held until the summer of 2029, although there is a growing consensus that the PM could be replaced long before then.
Sir Keir has been telling supporters he would run against Mr Streeting, rather than resign, if challenged.
