Starmer can survive a leadership challenge, says attorney general

1 hour agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on Google Jennifer McKiernanPolitical reporter BBC Attorney General Lord Hermer speaking to Nick Robinson Sir Keir Starmer can prove his critics wrong and survive a leadership challenge, his friend Lord Hermer has told the BBC. In his first interview with BBC Radio 4's Political Thinking, the attorney general said people had always underestimated the prime minister. The pair's friendship began in 1996 when they were both barristers at Doughty Street Chambers, specialising in human rights. Sir Keir appointed Lord Hermer as the government's chief legal adviser in 2024 following his landslide victory. But earlier this month, Labour lost control of the Welsh Senedd, as well as nearly 1,500 councillors in England, in a historically bad set of election results, leading to calls for Sir Keir to go. The potential challengers to Keir Starmer How would a Labour leadership contest work? Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting and a handful of junior ministers quit the government in the aftermath. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, regarded as the frontrunner in any future leadership contest, has set his sights on returning to Westminster in the Makerfield by-election this month. Labour lost the seat to the Green Party. His second attempt was not blocked, and the Makerfield by-election on 18 June will put Sir Keir and Streeting in the unusual position of campaigning for Burnham to win, despite their rivalry.