The pressure on Sir Keir Starmer’s premiership has intensified dramatically following a chaotic week that saw his government lurch from one crisis to another, leaving Labour MPs openly discussing potential successors.
What began as whispered corridor conversations has evolved into a full-blown succession race, with Health Secretary Wes Streeting emerging as the frontrunner among an expanding field of potential challengers. The group, which initially included Angela Rayner, Shabana Mahmood, and Ed Miliband, has now swelled to nearly a dozen serious contenders.
The crisis escalated after a botched briefing campaign against Streeting backfired spectacularly, paradoxically strengthening his position rather than undermining it. The episode has exposed deep rifts within Downing Street and accelerated discussions about Starmer’s future.
Budget Chaos Fuels Discontent
Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ Budget preparations have been described as an “omnishambles” by party insiders, culminating in a humiliating reversal on proposed income tax increases. The U-turn came after Streeting publicly opposed the measure, demonstrating both his political instincts and willingness to break ranks with the leadership.
Labour MPs are now demanding the removal of No 10 chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, with one source stating bluntly: “It has got to the point where either Morgan goes or the Prime Minister does.”
The Contenders Line Up
Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham remains the favourite among both Labour members and the general public, though he currently lacks a parliamentary seat. Streeting’s allies hope he can seize the moment before Burnham can engineer a return to Westminster and before Rayner, who recently resigned as Deputy Prime Minister over a stamp duty controversy, can rebuild her standing.
Other potential candidates include Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, Defence Secretary John Healey, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, Deputy Leader Lucy Powell, and former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh.
Blair’s Shadow Looms Large
The turmoil has been complicated by what left-wing MPs describe as a “stealth takeover” by Blairite operatives. National security adviser Jonathan Powell, who ran Tony Blair’s Downing Street for a decade, is reportedly unimpressed with McSweeney’s performance. Former Health Secretary Alan Milburn wields significant influence from within Streeting’s department, while PR veteran Tim Allen and Tom Baldwin—both Blair-era figures—have recently joined the operation.
Left-wing MP Clive Lewis warned: “At a time when government is struggling to deliver on its promises, bringing back the same small circle of advisers risks narrowing ideas when we need the opposite.”
Strategic Maneuvering
Streeting has begun positioning himself more carefully, distancing from the Blairite wing by adopting more pro-Palestinian positions, calling for Rayner’s rehabilitation, and praising Burnham ally Lucy Powell.
The botched briefing against Streeting has left Starmer’s authority severely damaged. His delayed response—taking nearly a day to call Streeting with an apology—has fueled speculation that he may have been complicit in the original briefing.
“There’s mounting fury over Starmer’s reaction to the briefing crisis,” said one Labour MP. “He is out of touch and in denial.”
Some observers even suggest the briefing was deliberately designed to elevate Streeting, with one source claiming: “Morgan is from Wes’s wing of the party. Keir was always the frontman for his project. Now he’s decided he needs a new frontman.”
As the internal warfare intensifies, the question facing Labour is no longer whether Starmer will face a challenge, but when—and from whom.
