2026 Labour Party leadership election
Election to replace Keir Starmer
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The upcoming 2026 Labour Party leadership election was triggered by Keir Starmer's 22 June 2026 announcement that, due to the lack of confidence in his leadership by his MPs, he intends to resign as Leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
9 July – 27 August 2026[a]
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Andy Burnham, the then-Greater Manchester Mayor, had been tipped as a potential leadership challenger to Starmer, but Labour rules dictate that only MPs can stand for the leadership. Burnham was blocked from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election by the party's National Executive Committee, but won the Makerfield by-election after the constituency's MP, Josh Simons, resigned in order to allow Burnham to try to return to Parliament. Burnham's by-election victory intensified discussion of a leadership challenge; Starmer announced his resignation on 22 June, on the same day Burnham was sworn in as an MP.[1]
Nominations are scheduled to open on 9 July and close on 16 July, with a leader to be elected by 29 August if a contested election is held.[1] Burnham is currently the only MP to announce his candidacy for the leadership contest. Wes Streeting, who had previously expressed his wish to stand in a leadership contest, endorsed Burnham immediately after his candidacy was announced. Burnham is widely seen as Starmer's likely successor; he is the only declared candidate so far, he has received a large number of endorsements from his part. Al Carns, seen as a potential contender, has not ruled out his candidacy.
The leadership election will be the third held while the Labour Party is in government, the last two being in 1976 and 2007. Burnham previously stood in the 2010 and 2015 leadership elections.
Background
Starmer leadership and premiership
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Keir Starmer was elected Labour leader by winning the 2020 leadership election. His party made significant gains at the 2023 and 2024 local elections amidst a significant drop in membership in the years prior. Starmer became the fifth Labour leader to become prime minister after a general election but with the smallest share of the electoral vote of any majority government since records began in 1830.[2][3]
Starmer was deeply unpopular with the British public during his premiership. His net approval rating began slightly positive but fell over the course of his premiership to an average of −46% by November 2025.[4][5] Starmer also presided over a period of deep unpopularity towards Labour, with the party facing record electoral losses during the 2025 local elections. In January 2026, Andy Burnham attempted to stand to be the Labour Party candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election.[6][7] As a result, speculation began that if Burnham entered parliament, he would attempt a leadership challenge against Starmer.[6][7] In February, Anas Sarwar, the Leader of the Scottish Labour Party, called for Starmer to resign as party leader.[8][9]
2026 local elections
In the May 2026 UK local elections, the Labour Party lost control of over half of the councils up for election.[10] Labour also lost over 1,400 councillors, which BBC News reported as the single largest loss of councillors Labour had had in a single local election.[10] Reform UK and the Green Party made their highest gains ever.[10]
At the same time, Labour suffered a historic defeat in the 2026 Senedd election, failing to win either an outright majority or plurality in the Senedd for the first time in its history, losing to Plaid Cymru.[10][11] In the 2026 Scottish Parliament election as well, the Labour Party failed to make expected gains, coming in joint-second with Reform UK in terms of MSPs.[10]
On 9 May, Labour MP Catherine West issued an ultimatum for a leadership challenger to Starmer to step forward by 11 May or that West would put herself forward as a candidate.[12] West said her preferred option was that someone already in the cabinet become leader, with Keir Starmer "given a different role".[12] That same day, around Labour 30 MPs had either directly called for Keir Starmer to resign, or for him to set out a timetable on his departure.[12] On 11 May, no candidate had been put forward, and West refused herself to stand as a challenger.[13]
As of 21:28, 11 May, 70 MPs had called for Starmer to resign.[14] On 13 May, allies of Health Secretary Wes Streeting told BBC News that they expected him to resign and launch a leadership bid as soon as tomorrow.[15] A spokesperson for Streeting stated that he would not do anything to "distract" from the State Opening of Parliament.[16] In a meeting with MPs later in the evening, Starmer vowed to fight a leadership challenge if the health secretary ran.[17] Cabinet ministers loyal to Starmer attempted to convince colleagues that a change in leadership would paralyse the government and cause chaos.[18]
On 13 May, Starmer said to The Observer that he wanted to be in office for ten years and would stand in a possible leadership contest.[19] Starmer's position rapidly deteriorated on 14 May. Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner was cleared by the HM Revenue and Customs over her tax scandal, which was viewed as paving the way for her to join a leadership race.[20] Streeting announced his resignation at 1:00pm GMT, stating that he had lost confidence in Starmer's government. Al Carns was reported by Sky News to be interested in a leadership challenge.[21]
Return of Burnham to Parliament
On 14 May, Josh Simons resigned his Makerfield seat in parliament in order to allow Andy Burnham to contest the by-election so as to be able to stand for the Labour leadership,[22] in accordance with party rules that require any candidate for leader to be a member of the Parliamentary Labour Party.[23] Whilst Burnham had previously been blocked from standing in the 2026 Gorton and Denton by-election in February 2026 by the National Executive Committee of the Labour Party (NEC), they did not block his candidacy for the Makerfield by-election.
On 16 May, Wes Streeting stated he would stand in a leadership election, should there be one, but that he only supported having a "proper contest" to give Burnham time to return to Parliament and be eligible to stand, thus delaying any leadership contest until June.[24]
The 2026 Makerfield by-election was held on 18 June, with Burnham exceeding expectations to win the by-election with a large majority of over 9,000 votes. Burnham gained the support of over 200 Labour MPs by 20 June. The Guardian reported on 20 June that a Burnham leadership campaign was inevitable and that his allies are confident that Burnham may be elected uncontested, though some Labour MPs still want a contested leadership race.[25]
Timeline
- 22 June – Sir Keir Starmer announces his resignation as Leader of the Labour Party
- 9–15 July – PLP nominations
- 15 July – Affiliate nominations open
If there is only one candidate
- 16 July – Affiliate nominations close
- 17 July – Result announced at Special Conference
- 20 July – Sir Keir Starmer resigns as Prime Minister. Winner of the leadership election is asked by King Charles III to form a new government.
If there is more than one candidate
- 20 July – CLP (Constituency Labour Party) nominations opens
- 31 July – Affiliate and CLP nominations close
- 6 August – Ballot of members and affiliated supporters opens
- 27 August – Ballot closes
- 29 August – Result announced at Special Conference
- 1 September – Sir Keir Starmer resigns as Prime Minister. Winner of the leadership election is asked by King Charles III to form a new government.
Candidates
Under the Labour party's rules, for a leadership contender to be on the ballot, they must be nominated by at least 20% of the Parliamentary Labour Party, meaning 81 MPs would be required.[12][26]
Burnham was the first to announce his candidacy for the leadership contest after Starmer's resignation announcement, stating he "will put [himself] forward as part of this process."[27] Wes Streeting, who was seen as a potential candidate, endorsed Burnham.[28]
Declared
| Candidate | Born | Political office | Announced | Nominated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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MP for Makerfield (2026–present) Mayor of Greater Manchester (2017–2026) MP for Leigh (2001–2017) Secretary of State for Health (2009–2010) Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (2008–2009) Chief Secretary to the Treasury (2007–2008) |
22 June 2026[27] |
Potential
Al Carns
Al Carns was elected as the MP for Birmingham Selly Oak at the 2024 United Kingdom general election.[29] He was a regular Royal Marines officer from 1999 until 2024, and has been a reserve officer since re-enlisting after his election. He was the Armed Forces Minister at the Ministry of Defence from September 2025 until he resigned on 11 June 2026, following Defence Secretary John Healey's resignation earlier that day, over a disagreement with Starmer over military spending.[30][31][32][33][34][35]
He has reportedly considered standing in any leadership election.[36] He has been described by commentators as a "wildcard" and a "potential outsider".[37][38][39] On 24 June, Carns made his first public intervention in the leadership contest, proposing 'five tests' for prospective leadership candidates for any future leader, including a requirement for greater expenditure on defence, new targets on metrics such as GDP and commitments to improving British energy infrastructure. Carns remained silent, however, on any leadership bid.[40]
Declined
- Darren Jones, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (2025–present) (endorsed Burnham)[41]
- David Lammy, Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (2025–present) (endorsed Burnham)[42]
- Wes Streeting, former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (2024–2026) (endorsed Burnham)[28]
Endorsements
Andy Burnham
- David Lammy, Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom[42]
- Lucy Powell, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party [43]
- Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer[44]
- Yvette Cooper, Foreign Secretary[45]
- Bridget Phillipson, Secretary of State for Education[46]
- Darren Jones, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster[41]
- Steve Reed, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government[47]
- Emma Reynolds, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs[48]
- James Murray, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care[49]
- Dan Jarvis, Secretary of State for Defence[50]
- Nick Thomas-Symonds, Minister for the Cabinet Office[48]
- Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for Scotland[51]
- Wes Streeting, former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care[28]
- Louise Haigh, former Secretary of State for Transport[52]
- Stephen Kinnock, Minister of State for Care[53]
- Alison McGovern, Minister of State for Local Government and Homelessness[54]
- Hamish Falconer, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State[55]
- Luke Charters, Member of Parliament for York Outer[56]
- Jo White, Member of Parliament for Bassetlaw[48]
- Melanie Ward, Member of Parliament for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy[48]
- Connor Naismith, Member of Parliament for Crewe and Nantwich[57]
- Rachel Taylor, Member of Parliament for North Warwickshire and Bedworth[58]
- Paul Waugh, Member of Parliament for Rochdale[59]
- Rachael Maskell, Member of Parliament for York Central[56]
- Rosie Wrighting, Member of Parliament for Kettering[60]
- Lee Barron, Member of Parliament for Corby and East Northamptonshire[60]
- Matt Bishop, Member of Parliament for Forest of Dean[61]
- Gill Furniss, Member of Parliament for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough[62]
- Sarah Champion, Member of Parliament for Rotherham[63]
- Chris Curtis, Member of Parliament for Milton Keynes North[64]
- Paul Foster, Member of Parliament for South Ribble[65]
- Chris Webb, Member of Parliament for Blackpool South[65]
- Oliver Ryan, Member of Parliament for Burnley[65]
- Clive Lewis, Member of Parliament for Norwich South[66]
- Patrick Hurley, Member of Parliament for Southport[67]
- Jo Platt, Member of Parliament for Leigh and Atherton[68]
- Debbie Abrahams, Member of Parliament for Oldham East and Saddleworth[69]
- Neil Duncan-Jordan, Member of Parliament for Poole[70]
- Liam Byrne, Member of Parliament for Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North [71]
- Tom Hayes, Member of Parliament for Bournemouth East [72]
- Gordon McKee, Member of Parliament for Glasgow South [73]
- Anna McMorrin, Member of Parliament for Cardiff North [74]
- Jo Stevens, Member of Parliament for Cardiff East [75]
Opinion polls
Polling companies began polling Labour members on their preferred candidate in a potential leadership contest.
- Multi-candidate polling
| Dates conducted |
Pollster | Sample size | Andy Burnham |
Al Carns |
Yvette Cooper |
Louise Haigh |
Sadiq Khan |
David Lammy |
Shabana Mahmood |
Ed Miliband |
Bridget Phillipson |
Lucy Powell |
Angela Rayner |
Keir Starmer |
Wes Streeting |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jones declines to run[76] | |||||||||||||||
| Lammy declines to run[42] | |||||||||||||||
| Starmer announces resignation[1] and Streeting declines to run[28] | |||||||||||||||
| 15–19 May 2026 | Ipsos[77] | 346 Labour voters | 38% | 0% | 3% | N/a | 3% | 3% | 2% | 3% | 0% | 1% | 7% | N/a | 4% |
| 31% | 0% | 4% | N/a | 1% | 1% | 0% | 2% | 1% | 1% | 4% | 18% | 2% | |||
| 14–18 May 2026 | YouGov[78] | 706 Labour members | 47% | 0% | 3% | N/a | N/a | N/a | 1% | 3% | N/a | N/a | 8% | 31% | 4% |
| 15–16 May 2026 | Find Out Now[79] | 306 Labour members | 36% | 1% | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 4% | N/a | N/a | 7% | 36% | 2% |
| 30 Apr – 5 May 2026 | Survation[80] | 1,078 Labour members | 42% | 2% | 5% | 1% | N/a | N/a | 4% | 10% | N/a | 1% | 11% | N/a | 11% |
| 29 Jan – 3 February 2026 | Survation[81] | 1,264 Labour members | 41% | N/a | 7% | 1% | N/a | N/a | 7% | 8% | N/a | 1% | 17% | N/a | 19% |
- Head-to-head
| Dates conducted |
Pollster | Sample size | Andy Burnham |
Al Carns |
Yvette Cooper |
Louise Haigh |
Darren Jones |
Shabana Mahmood |
Ed Miliband |
Bridget Phillipson |
Lucy Powell |
Angela Rayner |
Keir Starmer |
Wes Streeting | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jones declines to run[76] | |||||||||||||||
| Lammy declines to run[42] | |||||||||||||||
| Starmer announces resignation[1] and Streeting declines to run[28] | |||||||||||||||
| 14–18 May 2026 | YouGov[78] | 706 Labour members | 75% | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 21% | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | |
| 69% | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 27% | N/a | N/a | ||||
| 59% | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 37% | N/a | ||||
| 80% | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 10% | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 35% | N/a | N/a | 61% | N/a | N/a | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 38% | N/a | N/a | N/a | 58% | N/a | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 58% | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 28% | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 47% | 49% | N/a | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 70% | N/a | 19% | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 65% | 15% | ||||
| 13–14 May 2026 | Survation[82] | 1,124 Labour members | 61% | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 28% | N/a | |
| 71% | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 18% | ||||
| N/a | 17% | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 45% | N/a | ||||
| N/a | N/a | 31% | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 45% | N/a | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | 29% | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 50% | N/a | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 25% | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 40% | N/a | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 15% | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 64% | N/a | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 19% | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 43% | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 46% | N/a | N/a | N/a | 39% | N/a | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 58% | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 30% | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 25% | N/a | N/a | 46% | N/a | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 27% | N/a | 51% | N/a | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 45% | N/a | N/a | 34% | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 45% | 41% | N/a | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 54% | N/a | 29% | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 53% | 23% | ||||
| 29 Jan – 3 February 2026 | Survation[81] | 1,264 Labour members | 53% | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 37% | N/a | |
| N/a | N/a | 26% | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 49% | N/a | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | 25% | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 52% | N/a | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 17% | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 55% | N/a | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 41% | N/a | N/a | N/a | 44% | N/a | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 29% | N/a | 52% | N/a | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 48% | 37% | N/a | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 42% | 30% | ||||
| 22–23 Jan 2026 | Find Out Now[83] | 501 Labour members | 48% | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 26% | N/a | |
| 18–20 Nov 2025 | Survation[84] | 1,013 Labour members | 58% | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 32% | N/a | |
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 16% | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 50% | N/a | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 44% | N/a | N/a | N/a | 40% | N/a | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 26% | N/a | N/a | 42% | N/a | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 30% | N/a | 48% | N/a | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 52% | 33% | N/a | ||||
| N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | N/a | 31% | 33% | ||||
See also
Notes
- If Burnham runs unopposed, the leadership election will conclude upon the close of nominations on 16 July, upon which Burnham will be the new Labour leader the next day.