How could Starmer be ousted? 81 Labour MPs would need to back a challenger… or the Cabinet walks out
Keir Starmer is facing mounting questions about his future after No10 launched an extraordinary pre-emptive strike on plotters.
The PM's allies have delivered a stark warning that he will not go without a fight if challenged.
They singled out Wes Streeting as being 'on manoeuvres' - drawing a furious condemnation from the Cabinet minister who said the attack was 'self-destructive'.
The chaos has ramped up speculation that Sir Keir might not have long left, with the Budget on November 26 and potentially disastrous local elections looming in May.
But how could Labour MPs oust Sir Keir before the next general election?
Sir Keir Starmer is being warned by Labour MPs that he faces being ousted within months unless he turns things around.
A formal challenge?
Under the Labour Party's rulebook, if there is no current vacancy for party leader, nominations may be sought by potential challengers.
Those seeking to replace Sir Keir must be nominated by 20 per cent of Labour MPs.
The party currently has 405 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.
As the sitting party leader, his name will automatically go on the ballot paper.
Those who have been Labour members for at least the previous six months will be able to participate in a leadership ballot.
Both party members and affiliated supporters, such as trade union members, will then vote in the leadership ballot on a 'one person, one vote' basis.
A candidate who receives more than half of the votes will be declared the winner.
If there are more than two candidates and no candidate gets half of the votes on a count of first preference votes, a redistribution of votes will take place according to preferences indicated on the ballot paper.
The winning candidate will then have to visit the King to confirm their position as PM.
A Cabinet revolt?
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 2021, when a slew of ministers quit. Mr Johnson ruefully remarked afterwards that 'when the herd moves, it moves'.
