How team Burnham finally cleared the first of many hurdles on route to Westminster

Labour MP for Makerfield, Josh Simons, will stand down, triggering a byelection and creating an opportunity for Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to return to Parliament. Burnham confirmed he will seek permission from Labour's National Executive Committee to contest the seat, aiming to lead the party and address national issues like the cost of living crisis. This move follows previous attempts by Burnham to re-enter Parliament, which were reportedly blocked by current leader Keir Starmer. Senior Labour figures anticipate the NEC will approve Burnham's candidacy, amidst ongoing pressure on Starmer's leadership following recent election results. Reform UK has indicated it will heavily contest the byelection, viewing Burnham as a significant opponent.

British Health Secretary Wes Streeting has resigned from the Labour government, citing a loss of confidence in Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership. Streeting's resignation, announced on X, comes after significant pressure on Starmer following poor local election results. Streeting stated that Starmer would not lead Labour into the next general election and called for a broad debate on the party's future leadership. While Streeting's move intensifies pressure on Starmer, it does not formally trigger a leadership contest. This follows resignations from four junior ministers and calls for Starmer's departure from over 80 MPs.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces potential leadership challenges following significant Labour Party losses in recent local elections. Health Secretary Wes Streeting is expected to announce his bid for leadership on Thursday, having reportedly secured enough support from Labour lawmakers. Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who has resolved tax issues that led to her departure from the Cabinet, has indicated she is ready to participate in a leadership contest if one is triggered. The pressure on Starmer stems from voter dissatisfaction with the government's perceived failure to improve economic growth and living standards. Rayner stated that the party recognizes the need for change after the electoral setbacks.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting met with Labour leader Keir Starmer at Downing Street for approximately 16 minutes amid intense speculation about a leadership crisis. The meeting occurred shortly after Dr. Zubir Ahmed resigned as a junior health minister, blaming Starmer for poor local election results and urging him to set a departure timetable. Ahmed argued that "noise created at the centre" under Starmer's leadership hindered Labour's ability to challenge the SNP in Scotland, contributing to their electoral losses. While Streeting's allies suggested the meeting was for him to voice concerns, insiders downplayed speculation of him preparing a leadership bid. The intervention by Ahmed risks increasing scrutiny on Streeting's position within the party.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces a significant challenge as his Health Minister, Wes Streeting, is reportedly preparing to resign. This potential resignation, expected as early as Thursday, could trigger a leadership contest and threaten the implementation of the government's agenda, which was outlined during the King's Speech on Wednesday. The report, published by The Times, emerged as the King delivered his speech amidst pomp and ceremony, overshadowing the government's legislative plans. This threat comes after a period of pressure on Starmer following a significant defeat in recent local elections. Financial markets reacted negatively to the news, with government bond futures falling and the pound weakening. Streeting's office has not yet commented on the report.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing significant pressure to resign following substantial losses in recent local elections and calls for his departure from nearly a quarter of his own MPs. Despite this, Starmer has vowed to continue governing and plans to implement reforms. He is scheduled to meet with Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary and a potential leadership rival, at Downing Street. This meeting precedes King Charles's speech opening parliament, where the government will outline its legislative agenda. The resignations of four junior ministers, including a Streeting ally, highlight the growing dissent within the party, with critics citing a perceived lack of progress and public confidence in Starmer's leadership.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing pressure to resign following significant Labour losses in recent local elections. The party lost over 1,460 council seats in England, with many going to the anti-immigration Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage. This marks the worst election results for a governing party in over three decades. Starmer, who led Labour to a landslide victory in July 2024, has refused to step down, calling his government a "10-year project" but acknowledging mistakes. Discontent has been growing over the past year, particularly regarding Starmer's perceived failure to address immigration. The article explores potential challengers to Starmer's leadership within the Labour Party.

Labour leader Keir Starmer faced significant pressure to resign following a recent election defeat. Despite delivering a speech acknowledging public frustration and his own doubters, many Labour MPs remained unconvinced of his leadership. The article details anxiety among MPs who questioned Starmer's survival, with some calling for a leadership change. Backbench MP Catherine West initiated a move to gather support for a new leader election in September, indicating a de facto confidence vote. By the evening, over 60 Labour MPs had reportedly signed the letter, further intensifying the challenge to Starmer's position.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing significant pressure to resign following substantial losses for the Labour Party in recent local elections. The party surrendered hundreds of council seats across England and saw setbacks in Wales and Scotland, with a YouGov poll indicating public support for his resignation. Starmer is reportedly refusing to step down despite calls from over 70 Labour MPs and several parliamentary aides. Economic concerns, including rising borrowing costs and the failure to ease living expenses, are also contributing to the discontent. The appointment of Peter Mandelson, who has ties to Jeffrey Epstein, as ambassador to Washington has further complicated Starmer's position.

Keir Starmer faces a critical 24-hour period following poor local election results, with calls for his resignation mounting. Approximately 40 Labour MPs are reportedly demanding his departure or a timeline for it. Wes Streeting, a potential leadership contender, is understood to be preparing a bid should Starmer's position become untenable. Angela Rayner has also warned that the party's current direction is not working and requires significant change. Starmer was scheduled to deliver a speech on Monday outlining his vision for the country in an attempt to secure his leadership.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing calls for his resignation following significant losses for the Labour Party in recent local elections across England and legislative votes in Scotland and Wales. These election results, widely viewed as a referendum on Starmer's leadership, have prompted dozens of lawmakers to demand his ouster. Starmer plans to address the situation in a speech, aiming to outline a new direction for his government, but his position remains precarious. Rivals are reportedly considering their next steps, with one lawmaker threatening to trigger a leadership contest. The Labour Party has struggled with economic growth, public services, and the cost of living, compounded by policy U-turns and a controversial ambassadorial appointment. The recent elections saw Labour lose votes to both the Reform UK and Green parties, indicating a shift in the political landscape.

Labour MP Catherine West has put Prime Minister Keir Starmer "on notice," threatening to trigger a leadership challenge by Monday following significant local election losses for the Labour Party. West stated that if a Cabinet minister does not challenge Starmer by Monday, she will initiate a contest herself, suggesting a reshuffle within the Cabinet as her preferred option. To trigger a leadership contest, West would require the support of 20% of Labour MPs, which amounts to 81 members. She claims approximately 10 MPs are currently backing her effort, with confidence that more will join. The Labour Party experienced substantial losses in recent elections across the UK.

Following a significant local election defeat, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces a leadership challenge. A former minister has stated she will run for the Labour Party leadership if no other candidate emerges, signaling growing discontent within the party. Labour experienced its worst municipal election losses since 1995, leading to increased calls for Starmer's resignation from his own lawmakers. In an effort to strengthen his position, Starmer appointed former Prime Minister Gordon Brown and former Deputy Labour Leader Harriet Harman as advisors earlier on Saturday. This situation highlights the pressure on Starmer's leadership after the recent electoral setback.

Following Labour's poor election results, MPs from the party's left are reportedly planning to ask Ed Miliband to consider a leadership bid. This comes as Keir Starmer faces potential challenges from within his party next week. Former minister Catherine West has stated she will launch a bid if no other cabinet ministers come forward by Monday, aiming to break an "impasse." While some MPs support Andy Burnham as a replacement, his return to Parliament is uncertain. Other potential candidates like Wes Streeting have had their ambitions denied by allies. The left-leaning MPs are reportedly concerned about a "Streeting coronation" and believe Angela Rayner lacks sufficient support, leading them to consider Miliband as an alternative.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces significant pressure to resign following substantial election losses for the Labour party across England, Wales, and Scotland. The party lost over 1,400 council seats in England and suffered defeats in devolved parliament elections, indicating a weakening of the traditional two-party system. Challengers including Reform UK, the Greens, and nationalist parties gained ground. Despite these setbacks, Starmer has stated he will continue as leader, though some MPs are calling for a departure timeline within months. Senior ministers publicly support Starmer, but internal concerns persist about his ability to regain public trust before the next national election in three years.

Recent local election results reveal significant challenges for the Labour Party, particularly in areas close to the constituencies of Keir Starmer and his top team. Reform UK has made inroads into traditional Labour heartlands in northern England and the Midlands, while the Green Party has gained ground in progressive urban areas. These losses are occurring in the backyards of key Labour figures, including Bridget Phillipson, Lisa Nandy, and potentially Angela Rayner and Jonathan Reynolds. The fragmentation of the vote, with gains for both Reform and the Greens, presents a multidirectional threat that Labour strategists, who have focused on Reform, may find difficult to address. These results suggest a broader discontent beyond typical midterm blues, impacting Labour's ability to retain support in diverse areas.

Early results from UK local elections indicate significant losses for Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour Party, with Nigel Farage's Reform UK making unexpected gains, particularly in traditional Labour heartlands. By Friday morning, Labour had lost over 258 seats, while Reform UK secured 382. These elections are viewed as a critical test of Starmer's leadership, as Labour trails Reform UK in recent opinion polls. Starmer acknowledged the tough results and took responsibility but stated his resolve to deliver promised change. Major losses for Labour have occurred in "Red Wall" constituencies, areas historically loyal to the party. Reform UK's early successes include wins in Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region, challenging Labour's long-standing dominance in these areas.

Keir Starmer has vowed to continue as leader of the UK Labour Party despite significant losses in recent local elections. The results, which occurred on Friday, May 8, 2026, saw Labour punished by voters in traditional strongholds, particularly in central and northern England. The populist Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage, emerged as a major beneficiary, gaining over 350 council seats in England and potentially becoming the main opposition in Scotland and Wales. These local election drubbings have intensified doubts about Starmer's ability to govern, though he remains defiant in his commitment to delivering change for Britain.

Labour leader Keir Starmer is making a last-minute appeal to voters considering the Green Party or Reform UK in England's local elections. Facing potential record losses, Starmer argued that these parties are unfit to lead during global instability and that only Labour prioritizes the national interest. He contrasted Labour's promise of progress with the "anger and division" of Reform and the "empty promises" of the Greens. Significant seat losses in these elections could pose an existential threat to Starmer's leadership. Labour hopes to mitigate negative perceptions by highlighting early gains in London, but is expected to face losses in historically Labour areas to Reform and also anticipates setbacks in Scottish and Welsh elections.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour Party faces significant local and devolved elections on Thursday, potentially marking a sharp setback after two years in power. Analysts predict Labour could experience its worst results in decades due to policy shifts and controversies, with gains expected for Reform UK on the right and the Green Party on the left. In Wales, Plaid Cymru is also polling strongly, challenging Labour's long-standing dominance. These elections are seen as a crucial indicator of the UK's increasingly fragmented political landscape, moving beyond typical local issues to reflect national sentiment. The first-past-the-post voting system, traditionally favoring two-party contests, is now being tested by a multi-party environment where votes are more dispersed.