Keir Starmer finds himself under mounting pressure today following the resignation of several ministers, with an increasing number of MPs advocating for a change in leadership.
The Prime Minister is experiencing escalating dissent within his party, as over 80 MPs have now indicated that he should step down.
But what are the possible pathways for Sir Keir’s removal from his position in Downing Street?
According to the Labour Party’s regulations, in the absence of a leadership vacancy, prospective challengers can seek nominations.
To initiate a leadership contest, contenders aiming to replace Sir Keir must secure nominations from 20 percent of Labour MPs.
The party currently has 403 MPs in the House of Commons, so this means each challenger will need the support of 81 MPs to force a leadership election.
Sir Keir himself will not be required to seek nominations to enter a leadership election, should he be challenged and he wishes to fight on.
Perhaps a more likely way of forcing Sir Keir out would be to make it practically impossible for him to continue.
A large section of the Cabinet quitting, or a huge groundswell in the Parliamentary party, could be enough to convince him to go.
That would have the benefit for rivals of clearing the way for a wider contest, rather than requiring them to unite around one challenger.
Boris Johnson suffered a similar fate in 2022, when a slew of ministers quit. Mr Johnson ruefully remarked afterwards that ‘when the herd moves, it moves’.
