Why replacing Keir Starmer isn't straightforward
This Is Why
Sky News
4.0 • 552 Ratings
🗓️ 11 May 2026
⏱️ 20 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Despite a disastrous set of local and national election results, the prime minister has vowed to carry on regardless. But dozens of Sir Keir Starmer's Labour MPs have now called on him to resign – or at least set out a timetable for when he will leave Downing Street.
Surely choosing a replacement – or even triggering a leadership contest – should be straightforward? However, even though there are any number of potential challengers, the PM could well be safer than you think.
Niall is joined by Sky’s political correspondent, Lucy McDaid, to discuss the Labour leadership election process, how it differs from the Tories and what needs to happen for Starmer to be ousted.
Have you got a question for Niall? Email the show: why@sky.uk
Transcript
Click on a timestamp to play from that location
| 0:00.0 | Sky News, the full story first. |
| 0:06.0 | How does it feel to face the storm head on? |
| 0:15.0 | Go beyond the map, drive into the extreme extreme or win a Ford Explorer. Test drive one before the end of May and you could win one. Now how would that feel? Search Win a Ford Explorer. Ready, set, Ford. T's and Cs apply, 25 plus only. See for code.com for details. |
| 0:40.1 | Hello, I'm Beth Rigby. |
| 0:41.7 | I'm Ruth Davidson. |
| 0:42.6 | And I'm Harriet Harmon. |
| 0:43.8 | We're the host of electoral dysfunction, |
| 0:45.8 | the politics podcast you need in your rotation. |
| 0:48.8 | Especially if you want to understand |
| 0:50.5 | how the May elections |
| 0:51.4 | are reshaping UK politics. |
| 0:53.6 | Order! |
| 0:54.5 | Every week we break down the biggest stories and take you behind the scenes of the major moments. |
| 0:58.8 | And we also have a bit of fun along the way. |
| 1:00.8 | I have lost my sunglasses. I left them at the reform petrol station. |
| 1:05.1 | Electoral dysfunction. |
| 1:06.4 | Listen every Friday, wherever you get your podcasts. |
| 1:13.1 | Anyone looking for a quick and easy way to replace Kirst Stamer as Prime Minister |
| 1:17.2 | might need to think again, and this is why. |
| 1:30.9 | Hi everyone, Neil here. |
| 1:34.3 | And as we all continue to pick apart the results of last week's elections, |
| 1:38.0 | speculation has inevitably turned to secure Sturmer's future, |
... |
Transcript will be available on the free plan in 5 days. Upgrade to see the full transcript now.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from Sky News, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.
Generated transcripts are the property of Sky News and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.
Copyright © Tapesearch 2026.