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Wednesday 13 May 2026

PM benefits from Labour divisions over who should succeed him

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Keir Starmer lives to fight another day despite the number of Labour MPs calling for him to quit climbing above 80. The prime minister has benefited from the fact that those who want him gone favour different candidates and disagree over the timing of a leadership contest, which means the collective will has not yet been mustered to trigger one. Supporters of Wes Streeting, the health secretary, are likely to want a quick process, while allies of Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, need at least a few weeks to find him a seat and try to get him over the line in a by-election. Although four government ministers resigned yesterday, including allies of Streeting, they had been replaced by the evening. Starmer has agreed to meet Streeting today.

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