Who leads Labour? An assessment of the process, people and factions shaping what comes after the May elections

17th April 2026

Portland PR

double exposure of flag and Westminster Palace with Big Ben

As the Mandelson affair continues to reverberate and Labour faces the prospect of significant losses in May’s elections, pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer is intensifying. A leadership challenge is now a real possibility.

Portland’s new report, ‘Who Leads Labour?’, provides an in-depth analysis of the jockeying for position within the party. We identify the potential contenders, map the routes to power, analyse their policy priorities, and examine the key factions that will shape Labour’s future. We also assess the formidable obstacles standing in the way of any would-be challengers.

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