Wes Streeting has resigned as health secretary and looks set to force a Labour leadership contest, saying it is “clear” that Sir Keir Starmer would not lead the party into the next general election.
His resignation letter, addressed to the prime minister and issued on Thursday lunchtime, read: “It is now clear that you will not lead the Labour Party into the next general election and that Labour MPs and Labour unions want the debate about what comes next to be a battle of ideas, not of personalities or petty factionalism.
“It needs to be broad, and it needs to be the best possible field of candidates. I support that approach and I hope you will facilitate it.”
It follows days of speculation about the prime minister’s future following Labour’s dismal showing in the local elections, with former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and energy secretary Ed Miliband among the potential candidates.
Sir Keir said on Monday that he he would not “walk away”, but dozens of Labour MPs have since called on him to resign or set out a timetable for his departure, with Mr Streeting’s resignation the latest blow to the besieged prime minister’s grip on power.
Here is a look at how a potential Labour leadership contest could play out.
How would a Labour leadership contest work?
There is no formal confidence vote procedure to oust a Labour leader.
Any challenger to Sir Keir would instead require the support of 81 MPs – 20 per cent of the party in the Commons – to trigger a contest.
Written nominations would need to be submitted to Labour general secretary Hollie Ridley.
In the case of a successful challenge, Sir Keir would be on the ballot by default as the incumbent and would not need to gather nominations.
If Sir Keir were to resign, it would automatically start a contest for a new leader.
It is up to the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee to set the timeline for a leadership election.
What is the latest?
Speculation about the prime minister’s future has surged since Thursday’s elections that saw Labour lose almost 1,500 English councillors, go backwards in Scotland and slump to third in Wales.
The electoral mauling has prompted a succession of Labour MPs to call for the Prime Minister to step down, or set out a timetable for his departure.
In a speech in central London on Monday, Sir Keir said he took “responsibility” for the losses but insisted he would fight on.
Facing down those calling for his resignation, Sir Keir said: “I’m not going to shy away from the fact that I’ve got some doubters, including in my own party.
“I’m not going to shy away from the fact that I have to prove them wrong, and I will.”
But Mr Streeting’s resignation and criticism of the prime minister now appears to have started the gun on a leadership election.
Reports suggest Ms Rayner and Mr Miliband could put themselves forward, while Mr Burnham would require a return to parliament to take part in any such race.
