Labour's leadership
Should there be a contest?
At the time of writing (27 June 2026) it seems rather too soon to attempt a fair analysis of Sir Keir Starmer’s time in office as Prime Minister. Some media attempts to do so are linked below.
Guardian article 27 June:
An article published by The Guardian takes a look at how “key figures” were involved in getting Andy Burnham to stand as candidate for Parliament. Having successfully fought the Makerfield by-election, Burnham is in line to become Labour Party leader and consequently Prime Minister.
Andy Burnham’s long coup: the chaotic year-long project to return him to Westminster | Andy Burnham | The Guardian - Story of the key figures, decisions, planning and missteps in push to line up Greater Manchester mayor for PM
Leadership contests:
Burnham’s accession to the party leadership could be tested if another individual came forward. Such an individual would need to be nominated under the Labour Party Rule Book - see, in particular, Chapter 4 Clause II Rule 2B. The process is further discussed at -
How do Labour Party leadership contests work? | Institute for Government
Leadership elections: Labour Party - House of Commons Library
It remains to be seen whether someone will obtain the necessary nomination. So far, none appear to be trying to do so.
Is it wise not to have a contest?
This is a moot point and opinion will vary.
There is an appearance that Burnham is being shoehorned into power by Labour without his plans being tested in any form of debate.
To date there has been nothing but speculation as to who he might appoint as Ministers and what he will seek to achieve as Prime Minister. To what extent will he adhere to Labour’s 2024 manifesto which is the foundation on which the party was elected in July 2024? Will controversial policies such as limiting trial by jury be shelved - (it was NOT in the 2024 manifesto).
As a matter of law, a general election is not required even if the Prime Minister changes but it seems undesirable that an individual gets that pre-eminent office without his ideas being tested. For this reason, Labour would (in my view) do well to hold a leadership contest.
Links:
Who’s to blame for the UK’s high turnover of prime ministers? - Atlantic Council
The rise and fall of Keir Starmer: where did it all go wrong? | Keir Starmer | The Guardian
The House Article | Why It All Went Wrong For Starmer – And What’s To Come With Burnham
How UK’s Keir Starmer went from election landslide to downfall | PBS News
Labour’s Deputy Leader:
Lucy Powell - Wikipedia - Labour’s Deputy Leader - elected to the post on 25 October 2025 following the resignation of Angela Rayner MP.
The wikipedia article notes that after Labour’s victory in the 2024 UK general election, Powell was appointed Leader of the House of Commons and Lord President of the Council. She was removed from the government as a part of the 2025 British cabinet reshuffle and returned to the backbenches.
Powell was reported to have been unhappy with her dismissal by Starmer.
Burnham endorsed a prospective campaign of Powell in the 2025 Labour Party deputy leadership election, expressing his dissatisfaction with her removal from the government.
Following the resignation of Angela Rayner, Powell became Deputy Party Leader when she defeated Bridget Phillipson on 25 October 2025.
Addition 28 June 2026:
This was published on X by Ann Black - a member of Labour’s National Executive Committee - NEC 25 June 2026. The link is to notes of a NEC special meeting to agree the process for electing a new leader after Keir Starmer announced his resignation.