Starmer to say ‘incremental change won’t cut it’ in major make-or-break speech to avert leadership challenge – UK politics live

Prime minister will try to convince Labour MPs to back him after suffering major election losses last week Good morning. The news this morning is full of speculation about whether or not there will be a Labour leadership contest. A better way of explaining the situation might be to say that a leadership contest is already under way; Angela Rayner issued what was in effect her manifesto late yesterday afternoon (although she also hinted she would be happy for it to be delivered by Andy Burnham as
Prime minister will say ‘incremental change won’t cut it’ as he tries to convince Labour MPs to back him after Thursday’s election losses
Navendu Mishra, who was parliamentary private secretary to Angela Rayner when she was deputy PM, told the Today programme this morning that Keir Stamer should set out a timetable for an “orderly transition” to Labour electing a new leader.
Mishra said this would allow the “best people” in the Labour party time to “put forward their vision”.
I think he’s done some really good things in my constituency of Stockport, and in Greater Manchester, and he has the experience of a previous Labour government, having served in senior roles including in the cabinet.
It’s one thing keeping open the option that you might try to become prime minister one day. And it’s another thing, a very different thing, to try and unseat a sitting prime minister in the moment we’re in. And Wes Streeting is not doing that.
Somebody who is planning to pull the plug and launch a leadership bid in a couple of days’ time doesn’t go to the cinema with a friend.
Coverage from 13 sources
- Starmer to say ‘incremental change won’t cut it’ in major make-or-break speech to avert leadership challenge – UK politics liveGuardian - World · Andrew Sparrow · May 11, 2026, 8:40 AM
- Keir Starmer to give major make-or-break speech in attempt to avert leadership challenge – UK politics liveGuardian - World · Andrew Sparrow · May 11, 2026, 8:47 AM
- Keir Starmer gives major make-or-break speech in attempt to avert leadership challenge – UK politics liveGuardian - World · Andrew Sparrow · May 11, 2026, 9:28 AM
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