It’s said that all political careers end in failure and it’s certainly true that, while it’s being ousted by your party or being turfed out by the electorate, most Prime Ministers don’t leave the job of their own accord.
Currently Sir Keir Starmer is battling for control of his party a mere 18 months after a spectacular election triumph.
The intervening period has seen a succession of bad news stories for the Premier, along with cabinet scandals and embarrassing u-turns - including on an income tax rise at the last budget.
And now there is talk of open rebellion among Labour MPs following the scandal linking former British Ambassador to the United States Lord Mandelson to financier sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
It’s led to much speculation over who will succeed him when he eventually stands aside - or is forcibly removed from office.
Here are the 11 leading candidates according to the bookies.
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5. Ed Miliband - 16/1
Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Ed Miliband unexpectedly lost the 2015 General Election to David Cameron by 10 seats, effectively beginning the process of Brexit. It would be one of the more remarkable political comebacks if he was able to give becoming PM another shot. The bookies reckon he has a 16/1 chance of being next Labour leader. | AFP via Getty Images
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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. The bookies reckon she has a 16/1 chance of going two better next time if she enters a Labour leadership contest. | Getty Images
7. Sadiq Khan - 20/1
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 20/1 chance Khan will follow his career trajectory. | AFP via Getty Images
8. Darren Jones - 33/1
Former Chief Secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones took over as Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister and Minister for Intergovernmental Relations in the last cabinet reshuffle in September 2025. The former lawyer is an 33/1 shot to be the next person to lead his party. | Getty Images