Rayner warns Starmer to change direction as Streeting preparing leadership bid

Chances of Starmer remaining in No 10 appear to be diminishing as about 40 Labour MPs call for him to quit

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Keir Starmer is facing a perilous 24 hours as allies of Wes Streeting said he was prepared to bid for the leadership if the prime minister’s premiership falls apart and Angela Rayner warned that a change of direction was needed.

Starmer was hoping to save his job with a speech that sets out his vision for turning the country around on Monday, after a disastrous set of local election results in which the party lost support to Reform UK and the Greens.