Sir Keir Starmer’s miserable 2026 seems to be getting worse by the day, with many in his own party calling on him to step down less than two years after winning a historic general election landslide.
It all started to go wrong in the second half of last year, with a succession of problematic stories for the Premier, along with cabinet scandals and embarrassing u-turns - including on an income tax rise at the last budget.
This year saw Labour’s third place in the Gorton and Denton byelection behind the victorious Green Party and Reform, which came just a couple of weeks after Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called for the PM to step down.
That was a clear warning sign of what would come in last week’s elections, which saw Labour lose control in Wales, slump to joint second with Reform UK in Scotland, and lose a string of English councils.
The Prime Minister has also suffered the scandal linking former British Ambassador to the United States Lord Mandelson to financier sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
It means that there is now huge speculation about who will succeed Sir Keir when he eventually stands aside - or is forcibly removed - from office.
In a speech earlier this week he made clear that he intends to continue in the job until the next election - but others within his own party may have a different view.
And now it seems as if it may only be a matter of time before a leadership challenge is triggered - with Wes Streeting looking like the most likely catalyst.
Here are the 11 most likely candidates to become the next Prime Minister according to the bookies.
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5. Alistair Carns - 14/1
Aberdeen-born politician Alistair Carns has only been an MP since 2024, having previously been an officer in the Royal Marines. He's priced at 14/1 for the job of Labour leader. | Getty Images
6. Yvette Cooper - 16/1
The last time Yvette Cooper attempted to become Labour leader was in 2015 following the resignation of Ed Miliband, coming third to eventual winner Jeremy Corbyn. She's a potential candidate who has seen her odds lengthen in the last few weeks - out to 16/1. Her husband could also give her advice about any leadership campaign - Ed Balls also unsuccessfully stood in 2010. | Getty Images
7. Shabana Mahmood - 16/1
Current Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has impressed since taking on her role last September. She's now 16/1 to become Labour Leader. | AFP via Getty Images
8. John Healey - 20/1
A real Labour stalwart, John Healey has been an MP since 1997 and held various junior ministerial positions under Tony Blair and Gorden Brown. He is currently Secretary of State for Defence and has seen his odds lengthen in the last few weeks to take over from Keir Starmer - out to 20/1 from 12/1. | Getty Images