<p>Four senior Labour politicians are on manoeuvres. Ailbhe Rea reveals who's in the running to replace Keir Starmer.</p><br><p>-- </p><br><p>Keir Starmer has become desperately unpopular. All eyes now are looking towards the May 2026 local elections. A disappointing performance by Labour could prompt the Prime Minister to resign. And senior Labour figures are already positioning themselves to replace him.</p><br><p>Ailbhe Rea and Rachel Cunliffe join Anoosh Chakelian to explore the most likely candidates, and the impact their manoeuvring is having on present relationships at the top of the Labour Party.</p><br><p>READ: <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/labour/2025/12/angela-rayner-is-wes-streetings-biggest-obstacle-to-pm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Angela Rayner is Wes Streeting's biggest obstacle to PM</a></p><p>LISTEN NEXT: <a href="https://pod.fo/e/35dd1d" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Keir Starmer is in denial</a></p><p><strong>SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:</strong></p><p>⭐️ <a href="www.newstatesman.com/xmaspod25" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2</a></p><br><p><strong>LISTEN AD-FREE:</strong></p><p>📱<a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2022/06/newapp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Download the New Statesman app</a></p><br><p><strong>MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:</strong></p><p>❓ <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/podcasts/2022/10/you-ask-us" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ask a question</a> – we answer them every Friday</p><p>⏰ <a href="https://morningcall.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Get our daily politics newsletter</a> every morning</p><p>✍️ <a href="http://saturdayread.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Enjoy the best of our writing</a> via email every Saturday</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>

Daily Politics from the New Statesman

The New Statesman

Angela Rayner vs. Wes Streeting: has the next leadership race begun?

DEC 4, 202536 MIN
Daily Politics from the New Statesman

Angela Rayner vs. Wes Streeting: has the next leadership race begun?

DEC 4, 202536 MIN

Description

<p>Four senior Labour politicians are on manoeuvres. Ailbhe Rea reveals who's in the running to replace Keir Starmer.</p><br><p>-- </p><br><p>Keir Starmer has become desperately unpopular. All eyes now are looking towards the May 2026 local elections. A disappointing performance by Labour could prompt the Prime Minister to resign. And senior Labour figures are already positioning themselves to replace him.</p><br><p>Ailbhe Rea and Rachel Cunliffe join Anoosh Chakelian to explore the most likely candidates, and the impact their manoeuvring is having on present relationships at the top of the Labour Party.</p><br><p>READ: <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/labour/2025/12/angela-rayner-is-wes-streetings-biggest-obstacle-to-pm" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Angela Rayner is Wes Streeting's biggest obstacle to PM</a></p><p>LISTEN NEXT: <a href="https://pod.fo/e/35dd1d" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Keir Starmer is in denial</a></p><p><strong>SAVE £££ THIS CHRISTMAS:</strong></p><p>⭐️ <a href="www.newstatesman.com/xmaspod25" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Gift big ideas, bold politics, and proper journalism from just £2</a></p><br><p><strong>LISTEN AD-FREE:</strong></p><p>📱<a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/2022/06/newapp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Download the New Statesman app</a></p><br><p><strong>MORE FROM THE NEW STATESMAN:</strong></p><p>❓ <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/podcasts/2022/10/you-ask-us" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ask a question</a> – we answer them every Friday</p><p>⏰ <a href="https://morningcall.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Get our daily politics newsletter</a> every morning</p><p>✍️ <a href="http://saturdayread.substack.com/subscribe" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Enjoy the best of our writing</a> via email every Saturday</p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>