In brief
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will face a leadership challenge from former minister Catherine West.
- West was born in Australia and is a dual Australian and British citizen.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is grappling with a significant political blow following a severe defeat in local elections. His leadership faced another challenge when Catherine West, an Australian-born former minister, announced her intention to contest for the party leadership if no other candidates emerged.
The Labour Party, under Starmer, suffered its most significant losses in local elections since 1995, causing discontent among party members and prompting some legislators to urge his resignation.
In an effort to strengthen his grip on the leadership, Starmer appointed two prominent Labour figures, ex-Prime Minister Gordon Brown and former Deputy Leader Harriet Harman, as advisers.
However, the stability of his position was further threatened when West declared on BBC Radio her desire for the cabinet to devise a strategy to unseat Starmer by Monday. If the party fails to act, she is prepared to step forward as a leadership contender.
“Should there be no leadership candidates emerging by tomorrow, I will submit my candidacy for the Labour Party leadership on Monday morning,” West stated.
West, who holds both Australian and British citizenship, brings a unique perspective to the political landscape.
As the extent of the defeat emerged, more than 20 politicians publicly and privately called on Starmer to set out a timetable for his departure. Asked whether he would stand down, he told British media that it was not the right thing to do.
“I’m not going to walk away from this,” he said earlier on Saturday.
Several Cabinet ministers said on Friday that they continued to support Starmer, who just under two years ago led Labour to a landslide national election victory, and an immediate challenge from the potential leadership rivals does not look straightforward.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham does not have the seat in parliament he needs to mount a challenge, and former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has yet to fully resolve the tax issues that prompted her resignation from office last year.
Wes Streeting, currently health minister, is, like Starmer, tainted by the appointment of Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to the United States. Streeting was close to Mandelson who was sacked over his ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Any candidate wishing to make a challenge would need to secure the public support of 20 per cent of Labour members of parliament. With Labour currently holding 403 seats, that equates to 81 backers.
West said she had 10 names behind her so far but her preferred option was that another candidate put themselves forward.
“I think there are several people who would like to do it who have been planning for months,” she said.
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