Where does Starmer’s leadership stand – and who are his potential challengers?

As the May elections creep closer, the leadership speculation at Westminster grows more intense. Is Keir Starmer safe and, if so, for how long? When will Angela Rayner’s tax affairs be resolved, and will she return to the cabinet? Who has Andy Burnham done a deal with to get back to Westminster, and would MPs support him if he did? Why has Wes Streeting gone so quiet? To the frustration of many – not least the prime minister himself – discussions about who is up and who is down have long been a staple of Westminster life. But as the security of Starmer’s position has ebbed and flowed in recent months, it has intensified. So where do Starmer – and his putative rivals for No 10 – stand? Keir Starmer. Backbenchers are worried there is no clear replacement for the prime minister. Photograph: Jack Taylor/PA Keir S tarmer Despite feverish leadership speculation, and Starmer’s rock-bottom public approval ratings, the most likely scenario remains that he stumbles on. The quiet, loyal majority of the parliamentary Labour party may feel deeply despondent about their predicament, but many feel that ousting him remains the nuclear option. “We came into government promising we’d be different from the Tories by cleaning up politics and bringing in some stability,” said one cabinet source. “Stability is the only one we’ve got left.” Many MPs are fearful that replacing Starmer looks self-serving during a cost of living crisis – and that the public would not forgive them for more turmoil. …