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On Monday, British prime minister Keir Starmer survived a day that could have ended his political career. The momentum against him had grown from Westminster whispers to the leader of Scottish Labour Anas Sarwar coming straight out and calling for him to step down. 

The release of the Epstein Files - which showed deeply damaging evidence against Starmer’s ambassadorial appointment to Washington, Peter Mandelson - was the excuse for the move against the prime minister, not the cause. His party has deep divisions. 

But Starmer rallied his party who publicly pledged support.

So he has survived – for now. 

But as Irish Times London correspondent Mark Paul explains there are several pitfalls ahead that may prove fatal for his leadership. 

Coming up as key days in Starmer’s diary are the release of the so-called “Mandelson Files”; the byelection on February 26th in Manchester and most dangerous for him according to Paul, the Scottish and Welsh parliamentary elections on May 7th when Labour is expected to get an electoral drubbing. 

So if by the summer Starmer is forced out, what will it mean for Ireland and its relationship with the UK? And who might succeed him?

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