Starmer rival Streeting ready to trigger contest for Downing Street

Chloe Chaplain and Joe Mayes, Bloomberg News on Jun 17, 2026

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One of Keir Starmer’s leadership rivals, Wes Streeting, says he is ready to force an immediate contest if the U.K. Prime Minister does not step down after a special parliamentary election on Thursday.

Streeting, who is planning to compete in any race to replace Starmer, told the BBC in an interview the PM must set out a time line for his departure if fellow leadership rival Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield by-election on Thursday.

If Starmer fails to announce his departure, Streeting would be prepared to trigger a contest himself by formally challenging the Prime Minister’s position as early as next week, he said.

The one-time ally of Starmer, who resigned from the Cabinet citing criticism of his leadership, has repeatedly said he is ready to stand in any contest to become the next Labour leader.

A victory for Burnham in Thursday’s by-election would see the Manchester Mayor return to Parliament and enter any subsequent leadership contest alongside Streeting.

Starmer should “be given some time to reflect over the weekend” following the result of the by-election, Streeting said, adding he would prefer the PM to “take a decision on his own terms.”

“We can’t carry on with this uncertainty and paralysis and there will need to be a contest,” he said.

While attending the G7 meetings in France, the prime minister insisted he would resist pressure to step down, telling Sky he would fight to stay in office and wanted to offer Burnham a government job if he is elected to Parliament.

“Andy is a great asset. And, yes, I want him to have a big role in government,” he said, when asked if he would bring the Manchester mayor, who served as a minister under previous Labour administrations, back into a senior position.

He said he would speak with Burnham in the days after the Makerfield result.

“If he comes back into Parliament — I hope he wins in the by-election — he’ll be a fantastic asset for our party and for the country,” Starmer added.

The prime minister said he was “not going to walk away” and would “fight” to any contest triggered by his rivals, but added that he was not resentful of the threats to his position.

“I don’t feel angry. I don’t feel bitter because I remind myself it is an incredible privilege to be the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom,” he said.