About a quarter of Keir Starmer's lawmakers have urged the prime minister to resign since his Labour Party last month suffered the heaviest local election losses of any governing party in more than three decades. This has opened the door for potential challengers, with Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham emerging as a possible candidate to topple Starmer.
Background of the Crisis
The local elections, held in May 2026, saw Labour lose over 400 council seats and control of several key councils. The results were widely seen as a referendum on Starmer's leadership, with many voters expressing dissatisfaction over the government's handling of the economy, healthcare, and immigration.
Since then, internal dissent has grown. A letter signed by 80 Labour MPs—roughly a quarter of the parliamentary party—called on Starmer to step down. The signatories include both moderate and left-wing factions, united in their belief that the party needs a fresh start to regain public trust.
Andy Burnham's Position
Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has been a prominent figure in Labour for years. He previously served as Health Secretary under Gordon Brown and ran for the party leadership in 2015 and 2020, finishing third and second respectively. His handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in Manchester earned him widespread praise, and he has since positioned himself as a voice for the North of England.
Burnham has not officially declared a leadership bid but has made several speeches criticizing Starmer's direction. In a recent interview, he said, "The Labour Party must reconnect with its core values and the communities it was built to serve. We cannot afford to be timid or technocratic."
How a Challenge Could Unfold
Under Labour Party rules, a leadership challenge can be triggered if 20% of Labour MPs (currently 80 out of 402) submit a letter of no confidence to the chairman of the Parliamentary Labour Party. If that threshold is met, a confidence vote is held. If Starmer loses, a leadership election ensues.
Potential candidates besides Burnham include Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves and former Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper. However, Burnham is seen as the most credible challenger due to his national profile and appeal to both the party's left and center.
Starmer's Response
Starmer has dismissed calls for his resignation, arguing that the local election losses were a "mid-term bump" and that his government is delivering on key promises, such as renationalizing railways and reforming the House of Lords. He has also warned that a leadership contest would be a "distraction" from the country's challenges.
Despite this, his position remains precarious. A recent YouGov poll showed that only 22% of voters approve of his performance, the lowest for a prime minister since John Major in the 1990s.
What's Next?
The next few weeks will be critical. If the number of MPs calling for Starmer's resignation reaches 80, a confidence vote could be held as early as July. Burnham is expected to make a statement in the coming days, possibly confirming his intention to run.
Political analysts say that a change in leadership could either rejuvenate Labour or deepen its divisions. For now, all eyes are on Burnham as he weighs his options.
