MPs wary of move against Starmer while war is raging

Even after electoral disaster, Iran war gives many MPs pause for thought about timing of leadership contest

A week after Labour’s election victory in July 2024, officials at Labour HQ held their first crisis meeting about the May 2026 local elections.

The party had just secured a 174-seat majority and already strategists were predicting it would be very tough, though none were assuming the prime minister’s own position would be vulnerable.