Who might lead UK after Starmer?

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is facing mounting political pressure as a number of lawmakers from his own party call for him to step down.

Four government ministers resigned yesterday (12 May), saying they no longer have confidence in his leadership, reports TIME.

Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips described Starmer as a "good man" in her resignation letter, but added that this alone was "not enough."

Minister for Devolution, Faith and Communities Miatta Fahnbulleh also stepped down, urging the prime minister "to do the right thing for the country and the [Labour] party and set a timetable for an orderly transition."

Zubir Ahmed, parliamentary under-secretary at the Department of Health and Social Care and Alex Davies-Jones, minister for Victims and Violence Against Women and Girls, also resigned, raising similar concerns about the government's direction.

Despite the resignations, Starmer told cabinet colleagues that he has no intention of quitting. "The country expects us to get on with governing. That is what I am doing and what we must do as a cabinet," he said, following criticism over Labour's heavy losses in last week's local elections.

The election results have intensified dissatisfaction within the party, with some MPs already critical of his handling of the controversial Peter Mandelson appointment. Starmer's recent call for a "reset" has failed to ease tensions, as at least 80 Labour MPs are now reported to have either called for his resignation or demanded a clear timeline for departure.

While pressure continues to build, no formal leadership challenge has yet been launched.

Under Labour Party rules, anyone who wants to challenge for the leadership must first get the support of at least 20% of Labour MPs. This is currently around 81 members, according to the Institute for Government. Only if a candidate reaches this number can they formally enter the leadership race.

If successful, the contest would then move to party members, affiliated organisations and trade union voters.

Labour figures, including MP Catherine West, had briefly raised the prospect of a leadership challenge over the weekend but later stepped back from that position.

Political analysts say another possible route for removal could be a wave of cabinet resignations, which could destabilise the government and make it difficult to continue governing.

A similar situation unfolded in 2022, when then-Conservative leader Boris Johnson resigned after dozens of ministers and senior officials quit amid multiple controversies.

For now, Starmer remains in office, but internal pressure continues to rise. Attention is increasingly turning to who could succeed him if he were to resign or be forced out of the premiership he has held since 2024.

Here is a look at the leading contenders who could potentially take over the Labour leadership, according to TIME.

Andy Burnham

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Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, is widely seen as someone who could be the next prime minister.

Burnham is currently the most popular Labour politician among the British public, according to YouGov ratings. 35% of those surveyed said they have a positive opinion of Burnham, compared to Starmer, who has a popularity rating of 19%.

However, Burnham would need to be allowed to stand as a by-election candidate so he can return to the House of Commons before being a viable candidate. A Labour colleague would also need to step down in order to make room for him.

Burnham attempted to become a Member of Parliament earlier this year, but was blocked from standing in a by-election by Labour's decision-making body, the National Executive Committee (NEC), a move some lawmakers have since labelled a "mistake."

But a by-election now would still be a risk, despite his popularity, Tony Travers, a professor of politics at the London School of Economics, told TIME.

"He would have to stand down as the Mayor of Greater Manchester. That would trigger a second by-election, which Reform UK would almost certainly win," he said.

A number of Labour figures have already expressed their support for Burnham to run in a by-election, should there be an opportunity to do so.

Lawmaker Connor Naismith called on Starmer to step down following poor local election results last week, adding that any transition in Downing Street "must include giving Andy Burnham the opportunity to re-enter parliament if an opportunity arises."

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan also voiced his support for Burnham to be allowed to return to the Commons.

"If Andy still wants to return, and an opportunity arises, he should be allowed to stand… I'm a firm believer in the team that I support winning, you want your best players on the pitch," he said.

"Burnham probably has the wider support base among the party's membership," said Travers, adding that the Manchester Mayor has a "magical capacity to win over votes in the North," despite Labour's depleting popularity in certain areas compared to other parties.

If Burnham does return to parliament, it will be his second stint in Westminster.

He previously served as MP for Leigh and also held ministerial positions at the Home Office, Department of Health, and the Treasury. In 2008, he became Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, before returning to Health as Secretary of State in 2009. In opposition, he served as Shadow Education Secretary, Shadow Health Secretary, and Shadow Home Secretary.

Wes Streeting

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Currently serving as the Health Secretary, Wes Streeting has reportedly expressed his interest in the leadership spot should the prime minister step down.

Following yesterday's cabinet meeting, Streeting departed Downing Street without speaking to the media camped outside.

According to Travers, Streeting "has a knack that Keir Starmer clearly doesn't have," which is "to make his performance as Health Secretary visible and comprehensible."

Over the last two years, Streeting has pushed for the increased digitalisation of the National Health Service (NHS) and has vowed to reduce NHS wait times by 2029.

This "record of achievement" will likely help Streeting if he does make a bid for the top spot, says Bale.

"He's clearly quite tough in dealing with a massive underperforming public service," says Travers, adding that Streeting is "going to be seen as a representative of the moderate-centre of the Labour Party, or some would say, the centre-right of the current Labour Party."

Angela Rayner

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Formerly the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Angela Rayner is the left-leaning front-runner to consider when looking at potential candidates.

"She's quite popular with her party, with backbenchers, and party members," said Travers. "She's seen as authentic, and much more relatable to most people in Britain than many politicians."

Rayner sits just behind Burnham in YouGov's ratings, with 24% of those surveyed having a positive opinion of her.

However, Rayner's recent history in the Labour Party could prove to be a stumbling block, experts note.

Rayner resigned as Deputy Prime Minister in September after it was found that she underpaid tax on her home, leading Starmer's ethics adviser to conclude that she had breached the ministerial code.

"I deeply regret my decision not to seek additional specialist tax advice given both my position as housing secretary and my complex family arrangements," said Rayner in her resignation letter to Starmer. "I take full responsibility for this error."

This issue could prove damaging to Rayner should she run in a leadership contest. But findings from a government investigation into her taxes may soon be published, which could potentially clear her of any wrongdoing or, at the very least, officially close the chapter.

"If it just turns out it was a mistake, and it's all sorted, it will cease to be an issue," says Travers. "It just hangs over her now."

Rayner is another Labour lawmaker to voice her support for Burnham to be able to run in a possible by-election. Calling for immediate change in the Labour government's approach, Rayner said that blocking Burnham from running earlier this year was a mistake.

"We must show we understand the scale of change the moment calls for—that means bringing our best players into Parliament," she said on Monday.

Ed Miliband

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Former leader of the Labour Party, Ed Miliband, is another name receiving attention. He is currently a member of Starmer's cabinet, serving as Secretary for Energy Security and Net Zero.

"He knows how to pull the levers in government. He's been one of the most effective ministers, and he's very popular in the membership," says Bale.

But Miliband's past leadership could just as easily work against him.

"He has the disadvantage of having been leader before and not winning a general election," says Travers, referring to the 2015 general election won by the Conservative Party.

Instead, the former Labour leader could be seen as more of a placeholder candidate, should Burnham fail to become an MP ahead of a potential leadership contest.

"He might be thought of as somebody who could get Labour through to the next election and then step down, allowing Burnham to become leader," said Travers.