Could Starmer resign and who are the top contenders to replace him as prime minister?

Keir Starmer’s premiership is under renewed scrutiny following the resignation of Defence Secretary John Healey, who accused the prime minister of failing to secure sufficient funding for the government’s defence investment plan. Healey’s departure was quickly followed by Armed Forces Minister Al Carns and two parliamentary aides, escalating pressure on Starmer just weeks after his party suffered heavy losses in local elections. The resignations come as Starmer’s leadership faces mounting criticism, with internal factions pushing for change. Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, is widely regarded as the most likely challenger, having hinted at a leadership bid for months. Burnham’s path to a Westminster seat opened after Josh Simons announced his resignation from Makerfield, a constituency Burnham is expected to win next week. If successful, he has confirmed he will formally challenge Starmer, framing it as an opportunity to ‘change Labour.’ Burnham’s popularity among Labour MPs and members remains high, with polls showing 47% of party members ranking him as their first choice for leader, compared to 31% for Starmer. However, his bid has faced obstacles, including the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee blocking his candidacy for Gorton and Denton earlier this year, which critics suggest was a deliberate move to prevent a leadership challenge. Wes Streeting, the former health secretary, is another potential contender, having resigned from Starmer’s cabinet last month. In his resignation statement, Streeting claimed it was ‘now clear’ that Starmer would not lead Labour into the next general election. Streeting’s departure reflects broader dissatisfaction within the party, with centrist and left-wing factions increasingly vocal about their dissatisfaction with Starmer’s direction. The upcoming Makerfield by-election will be a critical test for Starmer’s leadership, with Burnham’s victory potentially triggering a formal leadership challenge. Meanwhile, the resignations of Healey and Carns highlight deeper divisions over defence spending and fiscal policy, raising questions about Starmer’s ability to maintain cabinet unity ahead of a potential general election.