Sir Keir Starmer would lose a leadership contest to Angela Rayner, polling of Labour members has revealed. More than half of party members surveyed would vote for Ms Rayner as leader if they went head to head.

Only one in three would back Sir Keir . The former deputy leader topped the poll on 52% with the Prime Minister languishing on 33%. The poll also shows that three other potential rivals – Andy Burnham, Ed Miliband and Wes Streeting – would beat Sir Keir in a head-to-head contest.

'If this week goes badly for Starmer and Reeves - they could both be finished'

Ms Rayner quit her position as deputy prime minister and housing secretary in September after she was exposed for underpaying stamp duty on her second home.

She is understood to be “getting her ducks in a row” for a leader

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