British Prime Minister Starmer has been under pressure for months. But with the resignation of Health Minister Streeting, the government crisis is escalating.
For British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the situation is becoming increasingly difficult. For months, the pressure on the leader of the social democratic Labour Party has been growing, now it is greater than ever. Starmer has so far steadfastly refused to resign. Whether he will be overthrown remains unclear – but the crisis is deepening. In the meantime, names of possible successors are already circulating.
A week after a dismal performance in local and regional elections, Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned in protest at the prime minister. The biggest threat to Starmer may come from his rival within the party, Andy Burnham, who is being seen as a challenger to the faltering leader. Manchester Mayor Burnham has also warned that he will seek to enter parliament.
What criticisms are there of Starmer?
The British prime minister is being criticized, among other things, for his party's poor performance in local and regional elections last week in the UK. However, there have been calls for his resignation before – including over the appointment last year of Epstein's relative Peter Mandelson as ambassador to the US. The Labour government, led by Starmer, is also under fire for its weak economy, high living costs and a run-down public service. Voters accuse him of failing to deliver on campaign promises.
It was expected that with the resignation offered, Health Minister Streeting would directly challenge Prime Minister Starmer for the leadership of the party. But this has not happened so far. Starmer still seems to be managing to hold on to his post. But if more resignations from the cabinet follow, the situation for Starmer would become more difficult. “Starmer’s big problem,” according to the analysis of Sky News journalist Sam Coates, is the lack of support in his parliamentary group, without which he cannot govern: “This cannot go on like this much longer.”
Potential threats to him include Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, who are reportedly calling for the prime minister to step down. If the Home Secretary were to resign, it would likely mark the end of the Starmer era.
Who could succeed Starmer?
The ambitious former health minister, Streeting, is seen as a strong second-place candidate for the leadership race. Within Labour, he is on the right wing, while on the left he is viewed with almost hostility.
The most likely candidate is Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. He is currently considered the most popular Labour politician in the country and therefore Starmer’s strongest competitor. Burnham left parliament about a decade ago after failing to take over the party leadership. Labour MP Josh Simons has since resigned his seat in favour of Burnham. This now paves the way for Burnham to run for a seat in parliament – a necessary condition for running for prime minister.
Finally, former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has entered the fray. The 46-year-old from the left wing of the party resigned in September last year over a tax scandal. She was previously considered a leading figure on the left wing of Labour.
Why could Burnham be so dangerous to Starmer?
For months, Burnham has been seen as the favorite of the moderate left. As mayor of Manchester, the 56-year-old has built a reputation as a practical politician who is close to the citizens. Unlike Starmer, he is seen as a bold visionary./DW/
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