Who could replace Keir Starmer as British prime minister

Beleaguered UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is staring down potential challenges to his hold on power, warning Labour MPs any moves to unseat him would "plunge us into chaos".

Starmer, 63, elected less than two years ago in a landslide election victory, has refused to quit despite the resignation of four ministers and nearly 100 MPs urging him to go this week.

The Labour Party mutiny comes after the party suffered major losses in local elections across England and legislative votes in Scotland and Wales.

READ MORE: King Charles III lays out UK government agenda as PM Keir Starmer's job hangs in the balance

For a leadership challenge to be triggered, one-fifth of Labour MPs (81 legislators) must back a single candidate. Once one or more candidates gather that level of support, their names can be put on the ballot to run against Starmer, in a contest voted on by Labour Party members.

There are only a few Labour figures capable of attracting the numbers needed to take on the prime minister.

Here's a look at who they are.

Wes Streeting

Streeting made his expected leadership push overnight, resigning as health secretary. He said he had lost confidence in Starmer, who should not serve out the rest of his term.

Streeting has been tipped as a potential replacement for Starmer over past months after the PM made repeated policy fumbles, including appointing and then sacking Jeffrey Epstein-linked Peter Mandelson as British ambassador for the US.

Streeting has made no secret of his desire to occupy 10 Downing Street. He is regarded as one of the government's best communicators.

But it remains unclear whether he has enough Labour MPs backing him to stand against the prime minister.

Angela Rayner

The former deputy prime minister has an image in stark contrast to the lawyerly and restrained Starmer.

Rayner told The Guardian newspaper that Starmer should "reflect on" his position, adding that she was ready to "play my part" in any leadership election if Streeting triggered a contest.

Rayner, 46, grew up poor on the outskirts of Manchester in northern England and became a mother at 16.

Her down-to-earth, outgoing manner appeals to many young Labour voters and members on the left of the party. Back in 2021 when Labour was in opposition, she described the governing centre-right Conservative Party as full of "homophobic, racist, misogynistic … scum". Rayner later apologised for the remarks.

She resigned last year after a scandal over her failure to pay enough property tax on a second home, which could blight her leadership hopes.

Rayner said overnight that she had reached an agreement with authorities to clear up questions about her taxes that forced her to leave the cabinet last September.

Andy Burnham

Despite polls showing the 56-year-old Mayor of Greater Manchester as Britain's most popular politician, has one big hurdle - he doesn't sit in Parliament.

But overnight, Labour's Makerfield MP Josh Simons announced that he was resigning to make way for Burnham to seek a return to parliament, the BBC reports.

It's not a done deal for Burnham; he'll need the permission of the party's national executive to stand as Labour candidate. It previously blocked his similar move to stand in a by-election in February.

Known as the "King of the North" for his brand of business-friendly, "aspirational socialism", the former cabinet minister is credited with making Manchester the fastest growing UK city.

Any Burnham leadership tilt would depend on Starmer announcing an extended departure as PM, so that he could secure a safe Labour constituency and then win a by-election. That is far from certain.

The outsiders

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, 45, is regarded as a rising Labour star. He brief to crack down on on illegal immigration is regarded as being vital to stem the challenge of the populist Reform UK party.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, a former leader of the Labour Party, is also thought to be a contender. In polls of Labour Party members – mostly climate-conscious teachers, public sector workers and trade unionists – Miliband is reportedly the most popular pick to succeed Starmer.

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