Catherine West calls for leadership contest for Keir Starmer
MP Catherine West has said that if a cabinet minister does not put themselves forward to challenge Sir Keir as party leader by Monday, she will attempt to trigger a leadership contest herself.
It comes after the Prime Minister is facing mounting calls to quit following the party’s dismal showing in the local elections.
Catherine West calls for leadership contest for Keir Starmer
Itβs important that we reflect and respond to these results – we havenβt done enough to offer people hope for the future.
In the coming days Iβll be setting out the path ahead. pic.twitter.com/W3hWG6VPVs
β Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) May 9, 2026
The MP for Hornsey and Friern Barnet told Radio 4βs PM programme today (May 9): This afternoon, I would like the Cabinet to come round the table and elect a leader amongst themselves.
“If that cannot happen and there are no leadership hopefuls who come forward tomorrow then Monday morning I will put my name forward.
“I will be seeking the 81 names that are needed to take to the party chair and I will begin a leadership election.”
She went on to say that she currently has 10 others prepared to back her in a leadership bid but is βconfidentβ enough people would come forward to trigger a contest.
She continued: “My preferred option is for the cabinet to do a reshuffle within itself, where there’s plenty of talent, and for Keir to be given a different role, which he might enjoy, perhaps an international role.
“Then for others to come to the fore who can communicate the message, who are very able, so we can have minimum fuss.”
However, the MP did not name who she thinks would be the best replacement for Starmer.
Catherine West is the Labour MP for Hornsey and Friern Barnet in Greater London, having first been elected in May 2015 to represent Hornsey and Wood Green.
She was a shadow Foreign Office minister between 2015 and 2017 under Jeremy Corbyn.
After the 2024 General Election, she became parliamentary under-secretary in the Foreign Office, a role she held until September 2025.
Who will be the next Prime Minister if Keir Starmer resigns?
The next Prime Minister will be decided by the Labour Party following a leadership contest.
This is similar to when Liz Truss replaced Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak went on to replace her.
Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has been heavily linked with the role.
However, he is currently unable to launch an official bid as he is not a sitting MP.
Sir Keirβs former deputy, Angela Rayner and the current health secretary, Wes Streeting, are other names at the forefront.
Who would you like to be the next Prime Minister? Let us know in the comments.