2026 Labour Party leadership election

Election to replace Keir Starmer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 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 intended to resign as Leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

Quick facts Candidate, Popular vote ...
2026 Labour Party leadership election
← 2020
9–16 July 2026 (2026-07-09 – 2026-07-16)
 
Candidate Andy Burnham
Popular vote Unopposed
Leader before election

Keir Starmer

 Elected Leader

Andy Burnham

Close

Andy Burnham, a minister under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown who had been the mayor of Greater Manchester and previously ran for the Labour leadership in 2010 and 2015, had been tipped since 2025 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 2026 Gorton and Denton by-election (held on 26 February) by the party's National Executive Committee. However he stood and won the 2026 Makerfield by-election on 18 June after the constituency's MP, Josh Simons, resigned to allow Burnham to stand. Burnham's by-election victory intensified discussion of a leadership challenge; Starmer announced his resignation four days after the by-election, on the same day that Burnham was sworn in as an MP.

Nominations from MPs opened on 9 July and closed on 16 July. With 379 nominations, Burnham was the only eligible candidate when nominations closed, as he was nominated by over 94% of all Labour MPs, exceeding Gordon Brown's 88% of nominations in 2007. He was acclaimed as Leader of the Labour Party on 17 July 2026, and became Prime Minister three days later, on 20 July 2026. Burnham is the first Labour prime minister who is also a member of the Co-operative Party.

Background

Starmer leadership and premiership

See also: Premiership of Keir Starmer
Approval ratings of Keir Starmer as Prime Minister

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.[1][2]

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.[3][4] 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, who had been speculated since 2025 to be planning to enter Parliament to challenge Starmer's leadership, attempted to stand to be the Labour Party candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election but was blocked from standing by the party's National Executive Committee.[5][6][7][8] In February, Anas Sarwar, the Leader of the Scottish Labour Party, called for Starmer to resign as party leader amid the Peter Mandelson appointment scandal.[9][10]

2026 local elections

Main articles: 2026 Labour Party leadership crisis and 2026 United Kingdom local elections

In the May 2026 UK local elections, the Labour Party lost control of over half of the councils up for election.[11] 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.[11] Reform UK and the Green Party made their highest gains ever.[11]

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.[11][12] 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.[11]

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.[13] West said her preferred option was that someone already in the cabinet become leader, with Starmer "given a different role".[13] 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.[13] On 11 May, no candidate had been put forward, and West refused herself to stand as a challenger.[14]

By 11 May's evening, 70 MPs had called for Starmer to resign.[15] 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.[16] A spokesperson for Streeting stated that he would not do anything to "distract" from the State Opening of Parliament.[17] In a meeting with MPs later in the evening, Starmer vowed to fight a leadership challenge if the health secretary ran.[18] Cabinet ministers loyal to Starmer attempted to convince colleagues that a change in leadership would paralyse the government and cause chaos.[19]

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.[20] 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.[21] 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.[22]

Return of Burnham to Parliament

On 14 May, Josh Simons, the Labour member for Makerfield, resigned his seat in parliament, paving the way for Burnham to contest the by-election and so to stand for the Labour leadership,[23] in accordance with party rules that require any candidate for leader to be a member of the Parliamentary Labour Party.[24] 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.[25]

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 were confident that Burnham would be elected uncontested, though some Labour MPs still wanted a contested leadership race.[26]

Starmer announced his intention to resign on 22 June 2026, four days after the by-election.[27]

Timeline

  • 22 June – Sir Keir Starmer announces his resignation as Leader of the Labour Party
  • 9 July – PLP nominations open
  • 15 July – PLP nominations close and affiliate nominations open
  • 16 July – Affiliate nominations close
  • 17 July – Result announced at Special Conference
  • 20 July – Sir Keir Starmer resigns as Prime Minister. Andy Burnham 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.[13][28]

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."[29] Wes Streeting and Al Carns, who were both seen as potential candidates, endorsed Burnham.[30]

While not formally putting herself forward for the leadership position, Catherine West, the MP for Hornsey and Friern Barnet, was nominated by Neil Coyle after nominations had opened. This occurred after it was already mathematically impossible for a candidate other than Burnham to reach the required level of 81 MPs.[31]

Nominated

More information Candidate, Born ...
Candidate Born Political office Announced Nominated

Andy Burnham
7 January 1970
Aintree, Lancashire
 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[29] 9 July 2026
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Eliminated

More information Candidate, Born ...
Candidate Born Political office Announced Eliminated

Catherine West
14 September 1966
Mansfield, Victoria, Australia
 MP for Hornsey and Friern Barnet (2015–present)
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Indo-Pacific (2024–2025)		 N/A[a] 15 July 2026
Close

Declined

Endorsements

Andy Burnham

List of MPs who endorsed Andy Burnham

Nominations

Burnham received 322 nominations on the day nominations opened, one short of the 323 that would mean no other candidate could receive enough nominations to challenge him.[66] By convention, the outgoing party leader (Starmer), NEC chair (Shabana Mahmood) and party chair (Anna Turley) did not nominate anyone.[67]

By 13 July he had received 349 PLP nominations, rising to 379 by 15 July.[67][68] After the deadline had passed, Burnham was the only remaining candidate, and secured the nominations of 23 Labour Party affiliates;[69] as there were no other eligible candidates by the affiliate deadline, Burnham was declared Leader of the Labour Party at a special party conference on 17th July.[70]

List of MPs who nominated Andy Burnham (379)

By 9 July:

  1. Debbie Abrahams, MP for Oldham East and Saddleworth
  2. Zubir Ahmed, MP for Glasgow South West
  3. Luke Akehurst, MP for North Durham
  4. Bayo Alaba, MP for Southend East and Rochford
  5. Dan Aldridge, MP for Weston-super-Mare
  6. Douglas Alexander, MP for Lothian East
  7. Heidi Alexander, MP for Swindon South
  8. Sadik Al-Hassan, MP for North Somerset
  9. Rushanara Ali, MP for Bethnal Green and Stepney
  10. Rosena Allin-Khan, MP for Tooting
  11. Callum Anderson, MP for Buckingham and Bletchley
  12. Fleur Anderson, MP for Putney
  13. Tonia Antoniazzi, MP for Gower
  14. Scott Arthur, MP for Edinburgh South West
  15. Jess Asato, MP for Lowestoft
  16. Jas Athwal, MP for Ilford South
  17. Catherine Atkinson, MP for Derby North
  18. Lewis Atkinson, MP for Sunderland Central
  19. Calvin Bailey, MP for Leyton and Wanstead
  20. Olivia Bailey, MP for Reading West and Mid Berkshire
  21. David Baines, MP for St Helens North
  22. Alex Baker, MP for Aldershot
  23. Richard Baker, MP for Glenrothes and Mid Fife
  24. Alex Ballinger, MP for Halesowen
  25. Antonia Bance, MP for Tipton and Wednesbury
  26. Paula Barker, MP for Liverpool Wavertree
  27. Lee Barron, MP for Corby and East Northamptonshire
  28. Alex Barros-Curtis, MP for Cardiff West
  29. Danny Beales, MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip
  30. Lorraine Beavers, MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood
  31. Torsten Bell, MP for Swansea West
  32. Hilary Benn, MP for Leeds South
  33. Clive Betts, MP for Sheffield South East
  34. Polly Billington, MP for East Thanet
  35. Matt Bishop, MP for Forest of Dean
  36. Olivia Blake, MP for Sheffield Hallam
  37. Rachel Blake, MP for Cities of London and Westminster
  38. Chris Bloore, MP for Redditch
  39. Elsie Blundell, MP for Heywood and Middleton North
  40. Kevin Bonavia, MP for Stevenage
  41. Jade Botterill, MP for Ossett and Denby Dale
  42. Sureena Brackenridge, MP for Wolverhampton North East
  43. Jonathan Brash, MP for Hartlepool
  44. Chris Bryant, MP for Rhondda and Ogmore
  45. Julia Buckley, MP for Shrewsbury
  46. Maureen Burke, MP for Glasgow North East
  47. Andy Burnham, MP for Makerfield
  48. David Burton-Sampson, MP for Southend West and Leigh
  49. Dawn Butler, MP for Brent East
  50. Liam Byrne, MP for Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North
  51. Ruth Cadbury, MP for Brentford and Isleworth
  52. Nesil Caliskan, MP for Barking
  53. Irene Campbell, MP for North Ayrshire and Arran
  54. Alan Campbell, MP for Tynemouth
  55. Dan Carden, MP for Liverpool Walton
  56. Sam Carling, MP for North West Cambridgeshire
  57. Al Carns, MP for Birmingham Selly Oak
  58. Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham
  59. Bambos Charalambous, MP for Southgate and Wood Green
  60. Luke Charters, MP for York Outer
  61. Feryal Clark, MP for Enfield North
  62. Ben Coleman, MP for Chelsea and Fulham
  63. Jacob Collier, MP for Burton and Uttoxeter
  64. Lizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale
  65. Liam Conlon, MP for Beckenham and Penge
  66. Sarah Coombes, MP for West Bromwich
  67. Andrew Cooper, MP for Mid Cheshire
  68. Beccy Cooper, MP for Worthing West
  69. Yvette Cooper, MP for Pontefract, Castleford and Knottingley
  70. Deirdre Costigan, MP for Ealing Southall
  71. Mary Creagh, MP for Coventry East
  72. Stella Creasy, MP for Walthamstow
  73. Torcuil Crichton, MP for Na h-Eileanan an Iar
  74. Chris Curtis, MP for Milton Keynes North
  75. Janet Daby, MP for Lewisham East
  76. Nicholas Dakin, MP for Scunthorpe
  77. Ashley Dalton, MP for West Lancashire
  78. Emily Darlington, MP for Milton Keynes Central
  79. Paul Davies, MP for Colne Valley
  80. Shaun Davies, MP for Telford
  81. Alex Davies-Jones, MP for Pontypridd
  82. Marsha De Cordova, MP for Battersea
  83. Kate Dearden, MP for Halifax
  84. Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi, MP for Slough
  85. Jim Dickson, MP for Dartford
  86. Anna Dixon, MP for Shipley
  87. Samantha Dixon, MP for Chester North and Neston
  88. Anneliese Dodds, MP for Oxford East
  89. Helena Dollimore, MP for Hastings and Rye
  90. Stephen Doughty, MP for Cardiff South and Penarth
  91. Peter Dowd, MP for Bootle
  92. Graeme Downie, MP for Dunfermline and Dollar
  93. Angela Eagle, MP for Wallasey
  94. Maria Eagle, MP for Liverpool Garston
  95. Cat Eccles, MP for Stourbridge
  96. Lauren Edwards, MP for Rochester and Strood
  97. Clive Efford, MP for Eltham and Chislehurst
  98. Damien Egan, MP for Bristol North East
  99. Maya Ellis, MP for Ribble Valley
  100. Chris Elmore, MP for Bridgend
  101. Kirith Entwistle, MP for Bolton North East
  102. Florence Eshalomi, MP for Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
  103. Bill Esterson, MP for Sefton Central
  104. Miatta Fahnbulleh, MP for Peckham
  105. Hamish Falconer, MP for Lincoln
  106. Linsey Farnsworth, MP for Amber Valley
  107. Josh Fenton-Glynn, MP for Calder Valley
  108. Mark Ferguson, MP for Gateshead Central and Whickham
  109. Patricia Ferguson, MP for Glasgow West
  110. Natalie Fleet, MP for Bolsover
  111. Emma Foody, MP for Cramlington and Killingworth
  112. Paul Foster, MP for South Ribble
  113. Vicky Foxcroft, MP for Lewisham North
  114. Mary Kelly Foy, MP for City of Durham
  115. James Frith, MP for Bury North
  116. Gill Furniss, MP for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough
  117. Barry Gardiner, MP for Brent West
  118. Allison Gardner, MP for Stoke-on-Trent South
  119. Anna Gelderd, MP for South East Cornwall
  120. Alan Gemmell, MP for Central Ayrshire
  121. Tracy Gilbert, MP for Edinburgh North and Leith
  122. Preet Kaur Gill, MP for Birmingham Edgbaston
  123. Becky Gittins, MP for Clwyd East
  124. Ben Goldsborough, MP for South Norfolk
  125. Georgia Gould, MP for Queen's Park and Maida Vale
  126. John Grady, MP for Glasgow East
  127. Lilian Greenwood, MP for Nottingham South
  128. Nia Griffith, MP for Llanelli
  129. Louise Haigh, MP for Sheffield Heeley
  130. Sarah Hall, MP for Warrington South
  131. Fabian Hamilton, MP for Leeds North East
  132. Paulette Hamilton, MP for Birmingham Erdington
  133. Emma Hardy, MP for Kingston upon Hull West and Haltemprice
  134. Lloyd Hatton, MP for South Dorset
  135. Helen Hayes, MP for Dulwich and West Norwood
  136. Tom Hayes, MP for Bournemouth East
  137. Claire Hazelgrove, MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke
  138. John Healey, MP for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough
  139. Rachel Hopkins, MP for Luton South and South Bedfordshire
  140. Claire Hughes, MP for Bangor Aberconwy
  141. Alison Hume, MP for Scarborough and Whitby
  142. Rupa Huq, MP for Ealing Central and Acton
  143. Patrick Hurley, MP for Southport
  144. Natasha Irons, MP for Croydon East
  145. Sally Jameson, MP for Doncaster Central
  146. Dan Jarvis, MP for Barnsley North
  147. Terry Jermy, MP for South West Norfolk
  148. Adam Jogee, MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme
  149. Diana Johnson, MP for Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham
  150. Kim Johnson, MP for Liverpool Riverside
  151. Darren Jones, MP for Bristol North West
  152. Lillian Jones, MP for Kilmarnock and Loudoun
  153. Ruth Jones, MP for Newport West and Islwyn
  154. Sarah Jones, MP for Croydon West
  155. Sojan Joseph, MP for Ashford
  156. Warinder Juss, MP for Wolverhampton West
  157. Chris Kane, MP for Stirling and Strathallan
  158. Mike Kane, MP for Wythenshawe and Sale East
  159. Satvir Kaur, MP for Southampton Test
  160. Liz Kendall, MP for Leicester West
  161. Afzal Khan, MP for Manchester Rusholme
  162. Naushabah Khan, MP for Gillingham and Rainham
  163. Stephen Kinnock, MP for Aberafan Maesteg
  164. Sonia Kumar, MP for Dudley
  165. Uma Kumaran, MP for Stratford and Bow
  166. Peter Kyle, MP for Hove and Portslade
  167. Laura Kyrke-Smith, MP for Aylesbury
  168. Peter Lamb, MP for Crawley
  169. David Lammy, MP for Tottenham
  170. Ian Lavery, MP for Blyth and Ashington
  171. Noah Law, MP for St Austell and Newquay
  172. Kim Leadbeater, MP for Spen Valley
  173. Emma Lewell, MP for South Shields
  174. Andrew Lewin, MP for Welwyn Hatfield
  175. Clive Lewis, MP for Norwich South
  176. Simon Lightwood, MP for Wakefield and Rothwell
  177. Rebecca Long-Bailey, MP for Salford
  178. Josh MacAlister, MP for Whitehaven and Workington
  179. Alice Macdonald, MP for Norwich North
  180. Andy MacNae, MP for Rossendale and Darwen
  181. Justin Madders, MP for Ellesmere Port and Bromborough
  182. Seema Malhotra, MP for Feltham and Heston
  183. Amanda Martin, MP for Portsmouth North
  184. Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central
  185. Keir Mather, MP for Selby
  186. Douglas McAllister, MP for West Dunbartonshire
  187. Kerry McCarthy, MP for Bristol East
  188. Martin McCluskey, MP for Inverclyde and Renfrewshire West
  189. Andy McDonald, MP for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
  190. Chris McDonald, MP for Stockton North
  191. Blair McDougall, MP for East Renfrewshire
  192. Lola McEvoy, MP for Darlington
  193. Pat McFadden, MP for Wolverhampton South East
  194. Alison McGovern, MP for Birkenhead
  195. Alex McIntyre, MP for Gloucester
  196. Gordon McKee, MP for Glasgow South
  197. Kevin McKenna, MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey
  198. Catherine McKinnell, MP for Newcastle upon Tyne North
  199. Jim McMahon, MP for Oldham West, Chadderton and Royton
  200. Anna McMorrin, MP for Cardiff North
  201. Frank McNally, MP for Coatbridge and Bellshill
  202. Kirsty McNeill, MP for Midlothian
  203. Anneliese Midgley, MP for Knowsley
  204. Ed Miliband, MP for Doncaster North
  205. Navendu Mishra, MP for Stockport
  206. Abtisam Mohamed, MP for Sheffield Central
  207. Stephen Morgan, MP for Portsmouth South
  208. Grahame Morris, MP for Easington
  209. Joe Morris, MP for Hexham
  210. Luke Murphy, MP for Basingstoke
  211. Chris Murray, MP for Edinburgh East and Musselburgh
  212. Ian Murray, MP for Edinburgh South
  213. James Murray, MP for Ealing North
  214. James Naish, MP for Rushcliffe
  215. Connor Naismith, MP for Crewe and Nantwich
  216. Lisa Nandy, MP for Wigan
  217. Kanishka Narayan, MP for Vale of Glamorgan
  218. Pamela Nash, MP for Motherwell, Wishaw and Carluke
  219. Josh Newbury, MP for Cannock Chase
  220. Charlotte Nichols, MP for Warrington North
  221. Alex Norris, MP for Nottingham North and Kimberley
  222. Melanie Onn, MP for Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes
  223. Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
  224. Simon Opher, MP for Stroud
  225. Kate Osborne, MP for Jarrow and Gateshead East
  226. Tristan Osborne, MP for Chatham and Aylesford
  227. Taiwo Owatemi, MP for Coventry North West
  228. Sarah Owen, MP for Luton North
  229. Andrew Pakes, MP for Peterborough
  230. Matthew Patrick, MP for Wirral West
  231. Michael Payne, MP for Gedling
  232. Stephanie Peacock, MP for Barnsley South
  233. Jon Pearce, MP for High Peak
  234. Matthew Pennycook, MP for Greenwich and Woolwich
  235. Toby Perkins, MP for Chesterfield
  236. Bridget Phillipson, MP for Houghton and Sunderland South
  237. David Pinto-Duschinsky, MP for Hendon
  238. Lee Pitcher, MP for Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme
  239. Jo Platt, MP for Leigh and Atherton
  240. Luke Pollard, MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport
  241. Joe Powell, MP for Kensington and Bayswater
  242. Lucy Powell, MP for Manchester Central
  243. Gregor Poynton, MP for Livingston
  244. Peter Prinsley, MP for Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket
  245. Yasmin Qureshi, MP for Bolton South and Walkden
  246. Steve Race, MP for Exeter
  247. Connor Rand, MP for Altrincham and Sale West
  248. Andrew Ranger, MP for Wrexham
  249. Angela Rayner, MP for Ashton-under-Lyne
  250. Ellie Reeves, MP for Lewisham West and East Dulwich
  251. Rachel Reeves, MP for Leeds West and Pudsey
  252. Emma Reynolds, MP for Wycombe
  253. Jonathan Reynolds, MP for Stalybridge and Hyde
  254. Martin Rhodes, MP for Glasgow North
  255. Jake Richards, MP for Rother Valley
  256. Jenny Riddell-Carpenter, MP for Suffolk Coastal
  257. Lucy Rigby, MP for Northampton North
  258. Dave Robertson, MP for Lichfield
  259. Tim Roca, MP for Macclesfield
  260. Matt Rodda, MP for Reading Central
  261. Sam Rushworth, MP for Bishop Auckland
  262. Sarah Russell, MP for Congleton
  263. Tom Rutland, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham
  264. Oliver Ryan, MP for Burnley
  265. Sarah Sackman, MP for Finchley and Golders Green
  266. Jeevun Sandher, MP for Loughborough
  267. Naz Shah, MP for Bradford West
  268. Baggy Shanker, MP for Derby South
  269. Michael Shanks, MP for Rutherglen
  270. Andy Slaughter, MP for Hammersmith and Chiswick
  271. David Smith, MP for North Northumberland
  272. Jeff Smith, MP for Manchester Withington
  273. Sarah Smith, MP for Hyndburn
  274. Karin Smyth, MP for Bristol South
  275. Gareth Snell, MP for Stoke-on-Trent Central
  276. Alex Sobel, MP for Leeds Central and Headingley
  277. Euan Stainbank, MP for Falkirk
  278. Jo Stevens, MP for Cardiff East
  279. Kenneth Stevenson, MP for Airdrie and Shotts
  280. Elaine Stewart, MP for Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock
  281. Will Stone, MP for Swindon North
  282. Alistair Strathern, MP for Hitchin
  283. Wes Streeting, MP for Ilford North
  284. Alan Strickland, MP for Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor
  285. Lauren Sullivan, MP for Gravesham
  286. Kirsteen Sullivan, MP for Bathgate and Linlithgow
  287. Peter Swallow, MP for Bracknell
  288. Mark Tami, MP for Alyn and Deeside
  289. Alison Taylor, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North
  290. Rachel Taylor, MP for North Warwickshire and Bedworth
  291. Fred Thomas, MP for Plymouth Moor View
  292. Gareth Thomas, MP for Harrow West
  293. Nick Thomas-Symonds, MP for Torfaen
  294. Adam Thompson, MP for Erewash
  295. Emily Thornberry, MP for Islington South and Finsbury
  296. Marie Tidball, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge
  297. Stephen Timms, MP for East Ham
  298. Dan Tomlinson, MP for Chipping Barnet
  299. Henry Tufnell, MP for Mid and South Pembrokeshire
  300. Matt Turmaine, MP for Watford
  301. Laurence Turner, MP for Birmingham Northfield
  302. Derek Twigg, MP for Widnes and Halewood
  303. Liz Twist, MP for Blaydon and Consett
  304. Harpreet Uppal, MP for Huddersfield
  305. Tony Vaughan, MP for Folkestone and Hythe
  306. Valerie Vaz, MP for Walsall and Bloxwich
  307. Christian Wakeford, MP for Bury South
  308. Melanie Ward, MP for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy
  309. Paul Waugh, MP for Rochdale
  310. Chris Webb, MP for Blackpool South
  311. Michelle Welsh, MP for Sherwood Forest
  312. Andrew Western, MP for Stretford and Urmston
  313. Michael Wheeler, MP for Worsley and Eccles
  314. Jo White, MP for Bassetlaw
  315. Katie White, MP for Leeds North West
  316. David Williams, MP for Stoke-on-Trent North
  317. Sean Woodcock, MP for Banbury
  318. Rosie Wrighting, MP for Kettering
  319. Yuan Yang, MP for Earley and Woodley
  320. Mohammad Yasin, MP for Bedford
  321. Steve Yemm, MP for Mansfield
  322. Daniel Zeichner, MP for Cambridge

By 13 July:

  1. Jack Abbott, MP for Ipswich
  2. Tahir Ali, MP for Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley
  3. Richard Burgon, MP for Leeds East
  4. Ian Byrne, MP for Liverpool West Derby
  5. Juliet Campbell, MP for Broxtowe
  6. Catherine Fookes, MP for Monmouthshire
  7. Gill German, MP for Clwyd North
  8. Amanda Hack, MP for North West Leicestershire
  9. Meg Hillier, MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch
  10. Imran Hussain, MP for Bradford East
  11. Louise Sandher-Jones, MP for North East Derbyshire
  12. Jayne Kirkham, MP for Truro and Falmouth
  13. Margaret Mullane, MP for Dagenham and Rainham
  14. Katrina Murray, MP for Cumbernauld and Kirkintilloch
  15. Kate Osamor, MP for Edmonton and Winchmore Hill
  16. Darren Paffey, MP for Southampton Itchen
  17. Jess Phillips, MP for Birmingham Yardley
  18. Mike Reader, MP for Northampton South
  19. Steve Reed, MP for Streatham and Croydon North
  20. Michelle Scrogham, MP for Barrow and Furness
  21. Mike Tapp, MP for Dover and Deal
  22. David Taylor, MP for Hemel Hempstead
  23. Chris Vince, MP for Harlow
  24. Imogen Walker, MP for Hamilton and Clyde Valley
  25. Chris Ward, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven
  26. Catherine West, MP for Hornsey and Friern Barnet
  27. John Whitby, MP for Derbyshire Dales

By 14 July:

  1. James Asser, MP for West Ham and Beckton
  2. Markus Campbell-Savours, MP for Penrith and Solway
  3. Pam Cox, MP for Colchester
  4. Jen Craft, MP for Thurrock
  5. Judith Cummins, MP for Bradford South
  6. Jonathan Davies, MP for Mid Derbyshire
  7. Josh Dean, MP for Hertford and Stortford
  8. Sarah Edwards, MP for Tamworth
  9. Chris Evans MP for Caerphilly
  10. Mark Hendrick, MP for Preston
  11. Sharon Hodgson, MP for Washington and Gateshead South
  12. Gerald Jones, MP for Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare
  13. Gen Kitchen, MP for Wellingborough and Rushden
  14. Brian Leishman, MP for Alloa and Grangemouth
  15. Jessica Morden, MP for Newport East
  16. Luke Myer, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland
  17. Abena Oppong-Asare, MP for Erith and Thamesmead
  18. Marie Rimmer, MP for St Helens South and Whiston
  19. Cat Smith, MP for Lancaster and Wyre
  20. Steve Witherden, MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr

By 15 July (close of nominations):

  1. Johanna Baxter, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South
  2. Daniel Francis, MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford
  3. Jodie Gosling, MP for Nuneaton
  4. Jonathan Hinder, MP for Pendle and Clitheroe
  5. Leigh Ingham, MP for Stafford
  6. Gurinder Singh Josan, MP for Smethwick
  7. Julie Minns, MP for Carlisle
  8. Mark Sewards, MP for Leeds South West and Morley
  9. Tulip Siddiq, MP for Hampstead and Highgate
  10. Matt Western, MP for Warwick and Leamington
List of MPs who nominated Catherine West (1)

On 14 July:

  1. Neil Coyle, MP for Bermondsey and Old Southwark
List of MPs who did not endorse a candidate (23)
  1. Apsana Begum, MP for Poplar and Limehouse
  2. Phil Brickell, MP for Bolton West
  3. Tom Collins, MP for Worcester
  4. Neil Duncan-Jordan, MP for Poole
  5. Mary Glindon, MP for Newcastle upon Tyne East and Wallsend
  6. Carolyn Harris, MP for Neath and Swansea East
  7. Chris Hinchliff, MP for North East Hertfordshire
  8. Alex Mayer, MP for Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard
  9. Siobhain McDonagh, MP for Mitcham and Morden
  10. John McDonnell, MP for Hayes and Harlington
  11. Perran Moon, MP for Camborne and Redruth
  12. Samantha Niblett, MP for South Derbyshire
  13. Richard Quigley, MP for Isle of Wight West
  14. Bell Ribeiro-Addy, MP for Clapham and Brixton Hill
  15. John Slinger, MP for Rugby
  16. Nick Smith, MP for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney
  17. Graham Stringer, MP for Blackley and Middleton South
  18. Jessica Toale, MP for Bournemouth West
  19. Jon Trickett, MP for Normanton and Hemsworth
  20. Nadia Whittome, MP for Nottingham East

Did not endorse due to Labour party convention:

  1. Shabana Mahmood, MP for Birmingham Ladywood[b]
  2. Keir Starmer, MP for Holborn and St Pancras[c]
  3. Anna Turley, MP for Redcar[d]
List of Labour Party affiliates who nominated Andy Burnham (23)
  1. Labour Party Irish Society[71]
  2. UNISON[72][73]
  3. ASLEF[74]
  4. TSSA[75]
  5. Community[76]
  6. USDAW[77]
  7. Communication Workers Union
  8. GMB
  9. Musician's Union
  10. National Union of Mineworkers
  11. Unite
  12. East and South East Asians for Labour
  13. Christians on the Left
  14. Disability Labour
  15. Jewish Labour Movement
  16. Labour Business
  17. Labour Campaign for International Development
  18. Labour Housing Group
  19. Labour Movement for Europe
  20. Scientists for Labour
  21. Socialist Environment and Resources Association
  22. Labour in Local and Regional Government
  23. Fire Brigades Union
More information Candidate, First stage Parliamentary Labour Party members ...
Candidate First stage
Parliamentary Labour Party members		 Second stage
Labour Party affiliates
Nominations[78] % Nominations[69] %
Andy Burnham
379 / 403
 94% Green tickY
23 / 33
 69.7% Green tickY
Catherine West (eliminated)
1 / 403
 0.2% Red XN
Total nominations
380 / 403
 94.3%
23 / 33
 69.7%
Close

Opinion polls

Hypothetical polling

Polling companies began polling Labour members on their preferred candidate in a potential leadership contest prior to Starmer's resignation announcement.

Multi-candidate polling
More information Dates conducted, Pollster ...
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
15–19 May 2026 Ipsos[79] 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[80] 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[81] 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[82] 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[83] 1,264 Labour members 41% N/a 7% 1% N/a N/a 7% 8% N/a 1% 17% N/a 19%
Close
Head-to-head
More information Dates conducted, Pollster ...
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
14–18 May 2026 YouGov[80] 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[84] 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[83] 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[85] 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[86] 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%
Close

See also

Notes

  1. [a]
    West did not launch a leadership bid and nominated Andy Burnham herself; she was nominated by one MP without her consent.[31]
  2. [b]
    Due to being the NEC chair
  3. [c]
    Due to being the outgoing party leader
  4. [d]
    Due to being Chair of the Labour Party

References

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