The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, could face serious problems as early as next year if his party’s performance doesn’t get better. Many believe his position as leader of the Labour Party is no longer secure, with reports that some rivals are already preparing to take his place.
There are rumors that both Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner are seen as potential replacements.
Wes Streeting is aligned with the “Blairite” wing of the party, which supports centrist policies, while Angela Rayner is part of the “soft left,” which leans more toward traditional Labour values. Both are considered strong candidates to take over if Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership falters.
The upcoming local elections in England, scheduled for May 2025, are expected to be a major test for Starmer. If Labour performs poorly, it could spark unrest within the party. Observers suggest that a bad election result, combined with Starmer’s declining popularity, could lead to Labour MPs panicking and questioning whether he is the right person to lead them into the next General Election.
Former BBC journalist Andrew Marr recently discussed the situation, revealing that secret leadership campaigns are already being organized behind the scenes.
He said that if Labour suffers poor local election results and Starmer’s approval ratings continue to drop, senior members of the party might openly challenge his leadership.
According to Marr, Labour MPs are known to panic in difficult times, and this could lead to intense infighting within the party.
Marr also pointed out that figures like Wes Streeting and Liz Kendall are seen as having the “intellectual edge” to take over. Angela Rayner is another key figure who could gather support from the party’s “soft left” wing.
He also mentioned Louise Haigh, a former Transport Secretary, as someone who might play a role in these discussions.
Recent polls highlight growing dissatisfaction with Starmer’s leadership. According to Ipsos, 61% of Britons surveyed said they were unhappy with him, marking his worst approval ratings since becoming Labour leader.
Another poll by Electoral Calculus predicts that Labour would fall short of a majority by 41 seats if a General Election were held today. This would leave the party unable to form a government without support from smaller parties.
With such challenges on the horizon, Sir Keir Starmer will need to improve his party’s performance and rebuild trust with voters. The local elections in May could determine his future, as well as the future direction of the Labour Party.
If things don’t improve, leadership rivals like Wes Streeting and Angela Rayner might step forward to take his place, creating even more turbulence for the party.
For now, Starmer must find a way to unite his party and convince the public that he can lead them to victory. However, the pressure is mounting, and the coming months will be critical for his political survival.
