How a British prime minister is replaced: the keys to a possible Starmer succession

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer faces the most serious political crisis since his arrival at Downing Street in July 2024, but a potential change at the head of the government runs up against a web of internal Labour Party rules, the absence of a consensus candidate, and the personal obstacles weighing on the figure best positioned in internal polling. Starmer, who won the 2024 general election with an overwhelming majority, has flatly ruled out resigning despite mounting pressure from his own parliamentary group following Labour's collapse in the local and regional elections of 1 May.