Labour MPs fear Angela Rayner could lead the party leftwards if she mounts a challenge to Sir Keir Starmer, with some privately voicing an “anyone by Ange” sentiment as the Prime Minister braces for a potentially devastating night in the upcoming local elections. The former Deputy Prime Minister, who remains under investigation over her tax dealings, is understood to be laying the groundwork for a leadership bid, but critics warn the party risks “sleepwalking” into her premiership. Polling published this week found that only 15 per cent of Britons believe she would make a better leader than Sir Keir.
Labour Leadership: A Party on Edge
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to face the biggest test of his premiership on May 7, with a disastrous performance at the polls widely expected to trigger a leadership vote. Recent polling has highlighted his low public approval ratings, and while some MPs view a challenge as a “nuclear option” that could appear self-serving during a cost of living crisis, the pressure is mounting. A leadership contest can be triggered if a challenger is nominated by at least 20 per cent of Labour MPs – currently 81.
Angela Rayner’s path to a potential challenge is complicated by the ongoing investigation into her tax affairs, though her team hopes it will be resolved before polling day. She resigned as Deputy Prime Minister in September 2025 after the Prime Minister’s independent ethics adviser concluded she had breached the ministerial code over her failure to pay the correct tax on a property. Despite this, allies have reportedly suggested that Starmer “has got to go” following the Peter Mandelson scandal and its damage to the party’s reputation, though Rayner herself has indicated she would not want to be the one to trigger a contest.
Critics within the party fear that if Rayner reached the final two in a leadership ballot, she would likely win the membership vote, and would then shift Labour to the left on policies including immigration and spending. “A lot of us are saying ‘anyone by Ange’,” one minister told The Times. Another Labour MP confirmed a “big… ‘anyone by Ange’ sentiment” among colleagues. The fallout from the Mandelson scandal – including the appointment of Lord Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington in 2024 and subsequent revelations about his ties to Jeffrey Epstein – has significantly undermined Starmer’s authority, with Labour MPs voting down a Tory proposal to refer the Prime Minister to the privileges committee over his handling of the affair.
Other potential challengers are also being discussed. Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, is considered a contender, with allies suggesting he has a plan to return to Westminster and has called for the aftermath of the local elections to be a “moment of reflection”. Health Secretary Wes Streeting is also mentioned, though his previous “manoeuvrings” are said to have alienated some party members, and his ties to Lord Mandelson have been noted. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has been floated as a possible figurehead if Labour’s polling continues to slide. The 2024 local elections saw Labour make gains, including winning control of 107 councils and 10 out of 11 directly elected mayoral positions, but the projected national vote share was down slightly from the previous year, with a notable drop in areas with significant Muslim populations. Those results now serve as a benchmark for Starmer’s leadership.
Protests, Policing and Community Tensions
Separately, the capital is grappling with heightened security concerns after a stabbing attack in Golders Green. Essa Suleiman, a 45-year-old British national born in Somalia, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a bladed article in connection with the stabbing of two Jewish men on April 29. He was also charged with attempted murder in relation to a separate incident in Southwark on the same day. It emerged that Suleiman was previously reported to the Prevent counter-terrorism programme in 2020, but the case was closed later that year. The UK’s terrorism threat level was raised to “severe” following the attack, though the Home Office said the decision reflected a rising threat over time rather than being solely based on the Golders Green incident.
Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley has strongly defended the two officers who apprehended the suspect, insisting their use of force was entirely justified given the suspect was armed with a knife and potentially carrying explosives. Rowley revealed he had written an open letter to Green Party leader Zack Polanski over the latter’s criticism of the officers’ conduct, saying he felt compelled to speak up when an “eminent person” challenges officers in a way that could undermine their confidence. The Commissioner has faced heckling at press conferences over the incident and previously warned of an “avalanche” of court cases affecting the force. He welcomed the government’s announcement of 300 extra police officers to strengthen local and specialist policing, but warned that sustaining the increased presence in north-west London remains a key concern given the Met is a “shrinking organisation”. He said conversations with the government over funding are ongoing and urgent.
Justice Minister Alex Davies-Jones told GB News that while she will defend the liberty to peacefully protest “to the hilt”, the government will strike down on people who incite violence during demonstrations. “If you are going on these marches and you are taking part in anti-Semitic chants or calling for globalising the intifada, you are wearing slogans of paragliders, for example, and glorifying terrorist organisations, then the government will act, and I would expect the police to act and arrest anyone behaving illegally,” she said. Shadow Defence Minister David Reed also praised the officers who apprehended the suspect, calling them “heroes” and confirming he would write to the relevant authorities to ensure their bravery receives formal recognition. He said the Jewish community does not believe “enough is being done” to protect them, and called for the Met to have full powers to shut down protests that begin to incite violence, drawing a firm line between peaceful protest and hate speech. Communities Secretary Steve Reed has condemned a surge in antisemitism, drawing parallels to “1930s Germany” and highlighting incidents such as Jewish schools being surrounded by barbed wire, while also criticising local councils for debating boycotts of Israel.
In a separate development, three men – two Ukrainians and a Romanian national born in Ukraine – go on trial today charged with arson and conspiracy to commit arson over fires at properties and a car linked to Sir Keir Starmer.
The Tony Blair Institute has also proposed scrapping the triple lock and replacing the state pension with a flexible “lifespan fund” that builds entitlement through work, caring and study, providing up to 20 years of support at current pension levels. Critics have raised concerns about potential intrusiveness, including suggestions that personal health data from NHS records could be used to estimate life expectancy and thus pension entitlement.
Renters’ Rights Act Takes Effect
England’s Renters’ Rights Act came into force today, introducing the most significant reforms to the private rental sector in decades. The Act abolishes Section 21 “no-fault” evictions, meaning landlords can no longer evict tenants without a valid reason. Fixed-term tenancies are replaced with rolling periodic tenancies, allowing tenants to end them with two months’ notice. Rent increases are capped to once per year, and tenants can challenge unfair hikes. The legislation also bans rent bidding wars, limits deposits to four weeks’ rent, and prohibits discrimination against tenants based on benefits or having children. Tenants now have the right to request pets, with landlords required to consider requests fairly.
Further measures are planned, including the creation of a Private Rented Sector Database and a free complaints service, the Private Landlord Ombudsman. Future reforms will also address housing standards, with plans to introduce Awaab’s Law and a Decent Homes Standard for private rentals, setting minimum requirements for safety and condition.
