‘Rayner for leader’ site proves race to succeed Starmer is well under way

Allies of leading candidates keen to tout credentials but others despair at options at top of Labour party

• Revealed: ‘Rayner for leader’ site briefly went live in January
• Explainer: political leadership campaigns that launched too soon
• UK politics live – latest updates

As Keir Starmer fights for his political life, the contest to replace him has already begun.

The prime minister was already under pressure when the Scottish Labour leader, Anas Sarwar, called for on Monday a change of prime minister. Sarwar’s comments followed the resignations from Downing Street of Morgan McSweeney, Starmer’s chief of staff, and Tim Allan, his communications director.