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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9. Darren Jones - 25/1
Darren Jones has one of the longest titles in politics - being Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations. He's 25/1 to simplify that to Labour Leader and, maybe, Prime Minister. | Getty Images
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10. Sadiq Khan - 33/1
Sadiq Khan has won three consecutive elections for London's Mayor - making him one of the most powerful politicial figures in the country. Boris Johnson went from being the Mayor of London to leading his party and his country. The bookies reckon there's the 33/1 chance Khan will follow his career trajectory - with his odds seemingly lengthening by the day. | Getty Images
11. Bridget Phillipson - 33/1
Completing our list of potential Labour leaders, and also priced at 33/1, is Bridget Phillipson. She's been an MP since 2010 and is currently Secretary of State for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities. | Getty Images