Labour Party in Crisis as Push to Protect Keir Starmer's Job Backfires Spectacularly
Efforts by Keir Starmer's allies to shore up his position have spectacularly backfired, leaving the Labour party on the brink of a leadership crisis. By briefing journalists that he would face down any challenge and accusing Wes Streeting of leading an advanced plot to overthrow him, figures around the prime minister exposed the weakness of his position.
The sharks were already circling – senior Labour politicians are convinced they can do a better job of running the country. The botched briefing operation on Tuesday night was proof that Starmer is leading an ineffectual No 10 operation careening towards a crushing defeat in Scotland, Wales, and English local councils next May.
This impression solidified on Friday when Downing Street ripped up its carefully trailed plans to increase income tax in the budget – a move seen by others in government as the latest "panicked" attempt to protect Starmer's position. MPs from various factions are now talking with each other, with many believing that Keir is done and are prepared to take risks together to get a more talented alternative.
However, even those who agree that removing Starmer is necessary are divided on who should replace him. Backbenchers say that overtures from would-be candidates have stepped up ahead of the budget, with fears that Andy Burnham will make a comeback if Wes Streeting and others fail to secure the leadership.
According to YouGov polling, Labour party members believe Streeting would beat Mahmood by 45% to 24%, but would lose to Rayner by 31% to 55%. The soft left of the PLP is leaderless following Angela Rayner's shock resignation over her tax affairs in September. While there are long-running rumours that Rayner and Streeting could do a deal, others like Ed Miliband, John Healey, and Lucy Powell are also said to have designs on the leadership.
Labour party members would have considerable power to choose the leader in any contest, but things have advanced so far down the track already it's not easy to see how No 10 can clamp down on it. The one Labour politician who comfortably defeated everyone else in a head-to-head among party members and had a net public favourability rating of +2 was Burnham.
The future of the Labour party hangs in the balance as its MPs struggle with leadership ambitions, power struggles, and the looming threat of defeat in key elections.
Efforts by Keir Starmer's allies to shore up his position have spectacularly backfired, leaving the Labour party on the brink of a leadership crisis. By briefing journalists that he would face down any challenge and accusing Wes Streeting of leading an advanced plot to overthrow him, figures around the prime minister exposed the weakness of his position.
The sharks were already circling – senior Labour politicians are convinced they can do a better job of running the country. The botched briefing operation on Tuesday night was proof that Starmer is leading an ineffectual No 10 operation careening towards a crushing defeat in Scotland, Wales, and English local councils next May.
This impression solidified on Friday when Downing Street ripped up its carefully trailed plans to increase income tax in the budget – a move seen by others in government as the latest "panicked" attempt to protect Starmer's position. MPs from various factions are now talking with each other, with many believing that Keir is done and are prepared to take risks together to get a more talented alternative.
However, even those who agree that removing Starmer is necessary are divided on who should replace him. Backbenchers say that overtures from would-be candidates have stepped up ahead of the budget, with fears that Andy Burnham will make a comeback if Wes Streeting and others fail to secure the leadership.
According to YouGov polling, Labour party members believe Streeting would beat Mahmood by 45% to 24%, but would lose to Rayner by 31% to 55%. The soft left of the PLP is leaderless following Angela Rayner's shock resignation over her tax affairs in September. While there are long-running rumours that Rayner and Streeting could do a deal, others like Ed Miliband, John Healey, and Lucy Powell are also said to have designs on the leadership.
Labour party members would have considerable power to choose the leader in any contest, but things have advanced so far down the track already it's not easy to see how No 10 can clamp down on it. The one Labour politician who comfortably defeated everyone else in a head-to-head among party members and had a net public favourability rating of +2 was Burnham.
The future of the Labour party hangs in the balance as its MPs struggle with leadership ambitions, power struggles, and the looming threat of defeat in key elections.
I'm kinda surprised that Keir Starmer's allies thought they could just brief journalists to make him sound stronger... now it looks like he's exposed for all to see! 
It's like they expected everyone to forget about the whole 'Scottish election debacle' 
already. I mean, can't they just own up to their mistakes and move forward? 
Wes Streeting might have a good shot at it, but Andy Burnham's been quiet about his plans and that's gotta count for something? 
income tax increase, huh? sounds like a desperate move to me 
and why is everyone so divided on who should be the next leader? it feels like a whole mess of egos and personal agendas 
if not, they'll just get more scrutiny from the public and media 
, but you know what they say - when you're leading with an iron fist, people are bound to start talking 
. And trust me, the sharks are circling 
, waiting for that perfect moment to strike... meanwhile, Starmer's allies just made a mess of things by trying to protect his position 
. 
. But hey, at least it's keeping things interesting in the party, right? 
if Wes Streeting doesn't secure the leadership... and let's not forget about Rayner's tax affair 
- that's definitely got everyone talking 
.
!
i mean, his allies tried to save him but ended up making him look super weak 
he seems pretty popular among labour members 
The fact that senior Labour politicians think they can do a better job is not surprising, but it's clear that Starmer's leadership is not up to par.
. Ugh, politics is so frustrating!
and now everyone's talking about who should replace him 
. They're all circling for a better candidate now! It's crazy to see how one briefing gone wrong can cause such chaos within the party. Wes Streeting has some serious momentum going on, and I'm not surprised he'd take down Starmer in any contest. Maybe it's time for Labour to have a fresh face? 
I mean, even Burnham is getting some love now! Andy might be the one to bring that fire back to the party. Whoever takes over, hope they can unite the ppl and get those local elections under control 
to his leadership 
. I mean, can't they just get along for once? 
The fact that Labour party members are already speculating about who'll take over is giving me life... I ship Wes Streeting & Andy Burnham tho 
. It's gonna be a wild ride to watch this unfold... 
️
but really they're just exposing his weakness 
That's some serious drama queen vibes 
. What do you guys think? Should Keir stay or go? 
it's hilarious but at the same time so cringeworthy. I mean I get it, he's been struggling and all, but do they have to make a big deal out of it?! 
. And now the party is on the brink of a leadership crisis, it's anyone's guess who'll end up in No 10 next 
what's going on with keir starmer? is he really gonna be outta job soon?