Keir Starmer braces for day of reckoning as challengers circle in race to boot PM from office

Sir Keir Starmer is bracing for a day of political reckoning following Labour's local elections wipeout, with his would-be leadership challengers all circling ahead of a potential contest.

Later on, the PM will attempt to save his job with a speech promising major reforms and mustering up support for his Government.

But it may be too late, with dozens of his own MPs having already called on him to set a date to step down.

While Wes Streeting is said to be preparing a "case" for a leadership challenge if it "all falls apart" - which The Telegraph reports will see him position himself as the only candidate who can beat Reform UK.

Fellow challenger Angela Rayner yesterday said it was time to "bring our best players into Parliament" in a bombshell statement which could open the door for Andy Burnham, popular on the Labour left, to seize power.

Mr Burnham's allies, however, are said to be trying to delay any contest until he has returned to Parliament.

And in an unexpected twist, backbencher Catherine West has hatched a plan to find 80 Labour MPs to trigger an immediate contest.

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IN-DEPTH: Read GB News' local elections roundup - insight into Labour's nationwide wipeout which sparked new demands for Keir Starmer to resign

Labour suffered catastrophic losses across the country in a dismal night of election results for Sir Keir Starmer, with Reform UK surging in councils and Wales falling to Plaid Cymru.

Sir Keir's position in No10 was placed under overwhelming pressure after an electoral mauling which saw Reform and Zack Polanski's Green Party making gains in some of Labour's heartlands.

However, the Prime Minister insisted he was "not going to walk away"...

READ THE FULL STORY HERE

What's Andy Burnham's plan?

Andy Burnham has not yet made any overt attempts at seizing power - but with Angela Rayner's backing, he could find a Labour MP willing to vacate their seat and allow him to stand for election.

When he tried earlier this year, he was blocked by Labour's ruling body, which claimed it didn't want to risk a potentially costly Manchester mayoral election.

Allies say he has a plan to return as an MP, with his team rumoured to have found an "impressive" candidate to replace him as Mayor.

If he were an MP, he could piggyback off Catherine West's threat of a vote of no confidence - but it would be weeks before a by-election, which he may not win.

Mr Burnham's backers have been trying to persuade Ms West to withdraw her challenge as it would not leave him enough time to return to Parliament.

"It's not gone to plan. This wasn't meant to benefit Wes," said one Burnham-backing MP.

Another said Ms West's intervention was chaotic and "like one of those free-running horses at the Grand National".

What's Wes Streeting's plan?

Wes Streeting, The Telegraph reports, is planning a leadership challenge based on the idea that only he can see off the "threat" of Reform UK.

Because of the local elections bloodbath - particularly in Tameside, in Angela Rayner's own backyard - Mr Streeting is said to believe the ex-Deputy PM is now more vulnerable to Reform.

Labour, on the other hand, held onto Mr Streeting's Redbridge Council.

An ally said: "This week has shown he can win. The results in Redbridge show that Wes can beat challengers on both the left and right.

"If there's a contest, the next leader of the Labour Party has to be someone who can keep Farage out of No10."

Mr Streeting's team is also reported to be drafting a leadership campaign, based on five "pillars", including specific policy ideas.

What's Angela Rayner's plan?

Yesterday, Angela Rayner issued an explosive attack on Sir Keir Starmer, urging him to allow Andy Burnham back into the Commons.

"What we are doing isn’t working, and it needs to change. This may be our last chance," the former Deputy Prime Minister said.

"The Labour Party must now live up to our name: we must be the party of working people," she added, before turning her fire on the appointment of Lord Mandelson, describing it as showing "a toxic culture of cronyism".

Ms Rayner publicly told the PM that blocking Mr Burnham was a "mistake", and urged him to "bring our best players into Parliament".

Her supporters, The Guardian reports, say she is not set on being a candidate but is "prepared for the possibility" of a leadership run.

What's Keir Starmer's plan?

Keir Starmer is set to promise that Labour will "put Britain at the heart of Europe" in a last-ditch speech as he clings on to his job.

The Prime Minister will deliver a major speech pledging comprehensive reforms to tackle Britain's most pressing issues.

The speech comes as Labour reels from catastrophic election results across England, Scotland and Wales, which have left the party haemorrhaging support to Nigel Farage's Reform UK and Zack Polanski's Green Party.

Sir Keir maintains his proposals will convey "hope, urgency and exactly whose side we are on" as he attempts to convince sceptical Labour MPs that he remains capable of reversing the party's fortunes.

The address launches what promises to be a pivotal week for his leadership, with backbenchers poised to back a challenge should he fail to deliver.

READ THE FULL STORY ON SIR KEIR'S SPEECH HERE