Talk of replacing Prime Minister Keir Starmer as leader of the Labour Party has spilled into the open, but the lack of a plausible replacement may keep the rebels at bay for now.

Plots against Starmer have dominated the headlines in Britain following the messy departures of his deputy prime minister, ambassador to the U.S. and, on Monday, his strategy chief. The resignations and sackings have marred the prime minister’s efforts to launch "phase two” of his government after a dramatic reshuffle earlier this month aimed at focusing on the delivering change that voters expected when they catapulted Labour into power 14 months ago.

That’s emboldened Starmer’s longtime critics within Labour, with member of Parliament Richard Burgon telling broadcasters on Monday that it was "inevitable” the prime minister would be forced out if he didn’t change course. The problem with such predictions, Starmer’s allies say, is that the dissents currently lack a viable successor.