Who could challenge Keir Starmer as prime minister?

The political future of the Prime Minister is uncertain following the resignation of Health Secretary Wes Streeting from his government role.

While no leadership contest has been officially triggered, Streeting's supporters indicated to the BBC that a challenge to Sir Keir Starmer could materialize as early as Thursday.

This development follows calls from several ministers and nearly 90 MPs for the Prime Minister to resign, whether immediately or in the near future.

Despite these pressures, there remains no agreement among Labour MPs regarding who they would prefer to succeed Sir Keir as the leader of the Labour Party and the country.

Downing Street has stated that Sir Keir is prepared to confront any leadership challenge he may face.

Although no other candidates have publicly declared their intention to run, several potential contenders have been identified.

Wes Streeting

Wes Streeting has served as the health secretary since Labour assumed power in 2024 and previously shadowed the position for three years in opposition.

First elected to Parliament in 2015, he has a background that includes serving as the president of the National Union of Students and as a London councillor.

In his 2023 memoir, he detailed his upbringing in a council flat in London's East End, visits to his grandfather in prison for bank robbery, and his experiences growing up as a gay Christian.

Streeting is recognized as an effective communicator in the cabinet and has highlighted a reduction in NHS waiting lists as a significant achievement during his tenure.

He has openly expressed his leadership ambitions and garnered substantial support from Labour MPs, particularly those aligned with the center and right of the party.

Key allies within the cabinet include Business Secretary Peter Kyle and Science Secretary Liz Kendall.

However, his positioning as the 'right-wing' candidate may limit his appeal to party members, who typically lean to the left of the parliamentary party.

Andy Burnham

Andy Burnham enjoys strong backing from Labour MPs and is consistently identified in polls as the most popular Labour politician among voters.

He has extensive governance experience, having served as the Mayor of Greater Manchester for nearly a decade, earning him the moniker "the King of the North."

Burnham's aspirations for the top leadership role are well known.

A significant hurdle in his path to No 10 is his current status as a non-MP. His allies are hopeful that this can be resolved swiftly.

Earlier this year, he applied to be Labour's candidate for the Gorton and Denton by-election but was prevented from doing so by allies of Sir Keir on the party's ruling body.

If he successfully returns to Parliament, it will mark his second term in Westminster.

From 2001 to 2017, he represented the constituency of Leigh, during which he held key positions in government, including within the health and culture departments.

At 52 years old, Burnham has previously contended for the leadership of the party, finishing second to Ed Miliband in 2010 and Jeremy Corbyn in 2015.

His support base in Parliament largely consists of left-leaning MPs and those from the North West.

Allies, such as Deputy Labour Leader Lucy Powell and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, are likely to support Burnham should he decide to enter the race.

Angela Rayner

Angela Rayner was, until recently, the deputy prime minister and was recognized as the most influential woman in British politics.

Her journey is remarkable, having been raised in a low-income household and leaving school at 16 without formal qualifications.

After working as a care worker, she became involved in the trade union Unison, which helped propel her into a political career.

In 2015, she was elected to represent the Greater Manchester constituency of Ashton-under-Lyne and quickly ascended in Westminster, serving in the shadow cabinet under Jeremy Corbyn.

As housing secretary, Rayner was charged with increasing housebuilding and reforming renters' rights.

In a significant turn, she resigned in 2025 after admitting to not paying sufficient tax on her new home purchase.

Like the other two major contenders, Rayner commands considerable support among Labour MPs; however, her political base overlaps with Burnham's, particularly due to their shared Greater Manchester connections and left-leaning positions.

She has since settled her £40,000 unpaid stamp duty, previously viewed as a potential barrier to her candidacy.

Other potential contenders

Despite the uncertainties surrounding the three leading candidates, there is the possibility of an unforeseen challenger emerging.

There has been discussion among some Labour MPs about the potential return of former leader and current Energy Secretary Ed Miliband.

However, he dismissed such speculation in November, stating, "I've got the T-shirt - that chapter's closed."

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has also been noted as a possible contender, though her controversial immigration policies could hinder her ability to garner support from party members.

Additionally, Defence Minister and Royal Marine veteran Al Carns has been recognized as having leadership ambitions. He has recently articulated his analysis of Labour's challenges in a left-leaning publication.

Allies of Carns have indicated to the BBC that they anticipate his candidacy should a leadership contest arise.

Under current party rules, Sir Keir Starmer is not barred from entering a leadership race; he stated to journalists on Monday that he would indeed participate if such a contest were to materialize.