Who could replace Starmer as UK prime minister?

As rebellion reaches a fever pitch, here’s some names in the frame if Keir Starmer is forced out

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is under pressure to resign after more than 80 lawmakers in his Labour Party said he was not the right person to lead the country and win the ⁠next national election. He has vowed to stay on as no formal ⁠leadership challenge has yet been triggered.

If Labour were to choose a new leader, here is ⁠a list of those in the frame to replace Starmer:

Wes Streeting, 43

Streeting has served as health and social care minister since Labour came to power in July 2024 – a role that puts him in charge of the state-funded National Health Service with its budget of more than £200 billion (US$270 billion).

Streeting is seen as a centrist within the Labour Party, and has advocated fiscal restraint in line with the approach taken by Starmer. He has also supported the government’s policy to increase defence funding.

Streeting was seen as a protege of Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the US who was appointed by Starmer and then fired over his links to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Streeting has ‌said he is embarrassed to have known Mandelson but denied that they were close friends.

In his first year as health minister, he approved a 22 per cent pay rise for resident doctors over two years in a bid to end a stand-off over pay. Doctors have since resumed striking.