What to know about contenders who could replace Keir Starmer as Britain's Labour leader

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"British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership is on the rocks after his Labour Party suffered heavy defeats in local elections last week. Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Thursday became the first Cabinet member to resign though he didn't immediately launch his widely expected bid to oust Starmer. The election beating may have been the final straw for a leader already tainted by his decision to appoint Peter Mandelson as Britain's ambassador to Washington despite the veteran politician's ties to Jeffrey Epstein."

"More than 90 Labour lawmakers have called for Starmer to step down and make way for a contest to pick a new leader, who would take over as prime minister, and several junior ministers have quit. Starmer has insisted he is staying put, and no formal leadership challenge has yet been launched. While there is no clear front-runner to replace Starmer, here are some of the leading contenders for the top job: Wes Streeting Wes Streeting, 43, is widely regarded as one of the government's best communicators and has led on one of its key pledges, improving the creaky National Health Serv"

The Independent emphasizes sending journalists to cover developing stories across issues such as reproductive rights, climate change, and Big Tech. It highlights investigations into political financing and documentary work focused on American women fighting for reproductive rights. It frames the need to separate facts from messaging and says donations support reporting by allowing journalists to speak to multiple sides. It claims broad trust across the political spectrum and states it does not use paywalls, arguing quality journalism should be accessible. In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s leadership is described as unstable after heavy Labour defeats in local elections. Health Secretary Wes Streeting resigned from the Cabinet, and more than 90 Labour lawmakers called for Starmer to step down amid ministerial departures and allegations tied to Peter Mandelson’s appointment.

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