Sir Keir Starmer is facing mounting criticism from within his own party, fuelling further speculation about his longevity in Number 10. It comes after months of poor polling and U-turns by the Prime Minister, who led to him announcing a change of direction for the party, declaring to a group of MPs last week that 2026 would be the year the country "turns a corner".
He has now faced direct challenges to his ability to lead by two senior figures, including the former Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner. Ms Rayner, who had served in Government until she was forced to resign after failing to pay £40,000 of stamp duty, blasted the embattled PM in an article for a national newspaper.
In the piece, she took aim at city financiers who had reportedly been urging the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, not to cap ground rents on buildings and homes, as they claim it would put off future investment in the sector. Ms Rayner, who has long campaigned to abolish such charges, urged Ms Reeves not to surrender to the "furious lobbying" of the industry.
Read more: Keir Starmer torn apart on GB News as Reform delivers brutal five word message
Read more: Trump humiliates Starmer with mortifying blast 'straighten out'
In the piece, written for The Guardian newspaper, Ms Rayner wrote: "If Labour cannot fix such an obvious injustice and show families whose living standards have been crushed that we will fight for them, then we shouldn’t be surprised if they lose faith that anything can change."
She added: "This battle is a symbol of so much more. It is about whose side we are on, and who we are in government to fight for. Last week the prime minister powerfully made that case at cabinet. Now it is on all of us in government and parliament to deliver on it, so let’s get the job done."
Ms Rayner has reportedly been locked in a struggle with the new housing secretary, Steve Reed, who controversially signed off on the Chinese mega-embassy yesterday, over the issue.
Another headache for Sir Keir came from his rumoured leadership rival, Andy Burnham. In a speech, Mr Burnham appeared to deliver a sharp criticism of his own government's record on growth. He attacked deregulation and privatisation, and slammed Brexit, saying that: "It has all combined to leave the country in a low-growth doom loop."
He added: "Our shallow, adversarial political system has shown itself incapable of lifting us out of it, and only adds to the volatility. So we find ourselves stuck in a rut and in hock to the bond markets."
Mr Burnham's comments mark his latest intervention to speak out against the Government.