Discontent over U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer¡¯s handling of revelations about his former U.S. ambassador¡¯s friendship with pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein has members of the governing Labour Party contemplating a change of leader.
While that¡¯s surprising for a party elected to a landslide majority in July 2024 on a promise to restore stability following the turmoil of successive Conservative governments, Starmer¡¯s historically low approval ratings have left him weak and vulnerable. His only solace is that his most likely leadership rivals ¡ª Health Secretary Wes Streeting and former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner ¡ª don¡¯t appear ready to mount a challenge.
Before the latest revelations about former Ambassador Peter Mandelson, Starmer had repeatedly batted away speculation about his leadership. If Starmer stays committed to serving out his five-year term, any attempt would have to meet several criteria to challenge him.
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