Possible contenders if UK PM Starmer quits

As pressure grows on United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer to step down, attention has turned to who could succeed him as leader of the ruling Labour Party.

Any leadership contest would be decided by Labour Party members rather than the general public. None of the possible contenders currently enjoys unanimous support within the party.

Wes Streeting

Health Secretary Wes Streeting, 43, has long been viewed as a potential leadership contender, with many MPs calling for Starmer’s exit believed to be among his supporters.

Streeting was one of Labour’s most visible figures during the 2024 election campaign and is widely regarded as a strong communicator. Positioned on the party’s right, he has praised former prime minister Tony Blair and previously expressed ambitions to lead Labour.

Born in East London to teenage parents, Streeting grew up on a municipal housing estate he once described as “grim”. He attended a state school before studying at the University of Cambridge and entering parliament in 2015.

As health minister, he has taken a tough stance on striking medics. Streeting is openly gay and his partner works as a communications adviser.

Read More: UK's Starmer defies calls to quit as safeguarding minister resigns in protest of leadership

He has also faced criticism over initially defending Labour veteran Peter Mandelson after he was removed as US ambassador over links to the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Streeting has denied being close friends with Mandelson.

Angela Rayner

Former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner remains popular among Labour’s left wing and is known for her outspoken style.

Rayner reportedly warned Starmer ahead of a key speech on Monday that commentators later described as underwhelming. According to The Guardian, her allies say she is not actively preparing a leadership bid but remains open to the possibility.

Read More: UK's Starmer defies calls to quit as safeguarding minister resigns in protest of leadership

The 46-year-old grew up in social housing in northern England, left school without qualifications and became a single mother at 16. Before entering parliament in 2015, she worked as a trade union representative.

Rayner became Labour’s deputy leader in 2020. Polling by YouGov ranked her as Labour’s second most popular politician after Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

Her leadership prospects may be complicated by an unresolved tax affairs case that prompted her resignation last year.

Rayner has three children, including a son with a serious disability.

Andy Burnham

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has long been considered a possible challenger to Starmer, although he has twice failed in previous Labour leadership contests.

Also Read: Pressure grows on Starmer to quit

Seen as part of Labour’s “soft left”, Burnham became an MP in 2001 and served as health minister under former prime minister Gordon Brown.

He left parliament in 2017 to become mayor of Greater Manchester, earning the nickname “King of the North”. The 56-year-old has since been re-elected twice, most recently in 2024.

Burnham has positioned himself as outside the Westminster establishment and has publicly criticised Starmer over welfare cuts, warning of a “climate of fear” within the party.

Born in northern England, he joined Labour as a teenager before studying at Cambridge University. He previously lost leadership races to Ed Miliband and Jeremy Corbyn.

Burnham would need to return to parliament through a by-election before he could become Labour leader. In January, Labour blocked him from contesting an upcoming by-election after he expressed interest on X.

He is married to a Dutch-born wife and has three children. Burnham has described himself as “Catholic by upbringing” but “not particularly religious now”.

Other possible candidates

Several senior ministers are also being discussed as potential interim or caretaker leaders.

Among them are Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Defence Secretary John Healey, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and junior armed forces minister Al Carns.

Miliband previously led Labour in opposition after defeating his brother David Miliband in the party’s 2010 leadership race. He resigned following Labour’s heavy defeat in the 2015 general election.

Cooper, 57, has been an MP since 1997 and served in ministerial roles under both Starmer and Gordon Brown.

Healey, also 57 and an MP since 1997, became defence secretary under Starmer.

Carns, a former commando aged 46, entered parliament in 2024. The Independent has described him as a possible “leftfield candidate”.