Five steps could force Sir Keir Starmer to resign if his position as Prime Minister became untenable.
It comes as Starmer’s future looks increasingly uncertain, with public opinion souring after just six months in office.
From cutting the winter fuel allowance for millions of pensioners to sparking a revolt from farmers over the inheritance tax changes. Then there was “wardrobe-gate” and his handling of the Southport killings, all of which have dented the PM’s ratings in the opinion polls.
Britain’s top elections guru John Curtice has likened the current situation to 1979, when Labour’s five-year rule under James Callaghan came to a decisive end amid economic turmoil and industrial unrest (the infamous Winter of Discontent).
A petition launched at the end of last year calling for an early General Election garnered more than three million signatures, but Starmer could easily ride this out due to his commanding majority in Parliament.
However, his hand could be forced in other ways. The process for removing a Labour leader is more onerous than that of the Conservatives but there are mechanisms in place. We investigate below.
Five steps could force Sir Keir Starmer to resign if his position as Prime Minister became untenable
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Personal commitment to resign
During the Beergate investigation in 2022, for which he was later cleared of wrongdoing, Starmer publicly pledged to resign if fined for breaking Covid rules.
Through his pledge, Starmer, in effect, swore an oath to the public.
If a new finding emerged proving his guilt, political pressure would intensify for him to uphold this promise.
If he chose to break this pledge and remain in office, it would undermine his credibility, weaken his authority, and risk alienating Labour supporters.
If Starmer followed through on his promise, he would voluntarily resign as Labour leader. This would trigger a leadership contest.
Internal party pressure
If Starmer refused to resign voluntarily, Labour MPs, party members, and affiliated unions could push him out.
They could do this without initiating a direct process against him.
For example, Labour MPs could issue public statements calling for his resignation.
Shadow Cabinet ministers could also resign en masse, making his position untenable.
Trade unions—key Labour backers—could withdraw support, further isolating him.
If he refused to step down, MPs could move to formally oust him as leader.
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Parliamentary pressure
If Labour MPs turned against Starmer but he still refused to resign, his leadership could be challenged in Parliament.
The Conservatives or another opposition party could table a motion of no confidence in Starmer’s leadership.
If passed, this would not automatically remove him from Labour leadership, but it would damage his position.
However, a more likely route would be an internal Labour confidence vote (see below).
Formal leadership challenge
Labour’s rulebook outlines two ways Starmer could be removed as leader:
A) Labour MPs trigger a leadership challenge
- Twenty per cent of Labour MPs (about 40 MPs) must nominate an alternative candidate to trigger a contest.
- If successful, a leadership election would be held among Labour members and affiliated unions.
B) Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC) forces a contest
- Labour’s NEC could declare a leadership vacancy, forcing Starmer to recontest his position.
- If Starmer lost, he would be replaced.
Punished at the ballot box
If Starmer clung to power despite internal and external pressure, it could seriously damage Labour’s chances in the next General Election.
Polling already projects Labour would lose its majority and enter a coalition if an election were held tomorrow.
In a new YouGov/Sky News poll, Nigel Farage’s party has even pulled ahead of the two main parties, polling at 25 per cent to Labour’s 24 per cent, with the Tories trailing in third place with 21 per cent.