Keir Starmer Faces Calls for Replacement Within Labour Party After 16 Months as UK Prime Minister

On November 12 (local time), the BBC and other outlets reported that there are discussions within the ruling Labour Party in the United Kingdom about replacing Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

According to the reports, some Labour Party Members of Parliament are moving to replace the party leader after the budget announcement scheduled for the 26th. It has been reported that Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood are being mentioned as potential candidates for the next party leader among Labour MPs.

Yonhap News Agency

Prime Minister Starmer is currently struggling with low approval ratings. The BBC noted that the Labour Party has received support from less than one-fifth of voters over the past several months, adding, "He may be the most unpopular prime minister in modern polling history." Within the party, there are growing concerns that, due to this sharp drop in support, the party could face a crushing defeat not only in the next general election but also in the local elections scheduled for May next year.

However, replacing the prime minister is not an easy task. According to Labour Party rules, a leadership contest can be held if 20% of Labour MPs support it. With 405 Labour MPs currently in office, at least 81 MPs would need to come together to trigger a leadership contest.

Prime Minister Starmer has also begun efforts to tighten control. On November 11, Starmer's close aides told major media outlets that "the prime minister is already reaching out to Labour MPs and fighting against attempts to change the leadership, warning ministers and vice ministers that such moves could destabilize the UK's position in financial markets and its diplomatic relations."

Wes Streeting, who has been mentioned as a potential candidate, also dismissed speculation about challenging Prime Minister Starmer in a BBC interview on the same day, calling it "self-destructive nonsense" and saying, "There is absolutely no situation in which I would do such a thing to our prime minister."