The Know Daily - Monday 16 February 2026

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Happy Monday! Here are some ducklings wearing flower hats to brighten the start of your week 🌼

🗳️ Keir Starmer’s leadership

Talk about Keir Starmer’s future as prime minister has been bubbling, with some figures even suggesting he should quit – something that would affect how Labour governs and who leads the party.

Tell me more.
Keir Starmer’s leadership has come under tighter scrutiny over his decision to appoint former US ambassador Peter Mandelson, after attention returned to Mandelson’s past links to Jeffrey Epstein. Starmer has apologised for the appointment, but it’s added to wider debate about Labour’s direction. A recent poll by Public First found 52% of Brits think Starmer should resign, while 19% said he should remain but that advisers should step aside. 

What does it mean to “quit as prime minister”?
In the UK, the prime minister doesn’t face a separate public vote to stay in office. If Starmer were to step down, Labour would hold an internal leadership election to pick a new party leader. Whoever wins that contest becomes prime minister, because Labour currently holds a parliamentary majority. That’s how changes have happened before – for example when Boris Johnson resigned as Conservative leader in 2022 and was replaced by Liz Truss as prime minister, without a general election.

Is it normal for leadership to be challenged?
Yep. Leadership questions often crop up between general elections when performance dips or key policies face trouble. Some commentators have pointed to similar pressure moments in past governments, though it’s rare for a sitting prime minister to be forced out mid-term unless there’s clear unified pressure from their own MPs.

So who could succeed him?
If Labour held a leadership contest, several senior figures might be considered, but the most discussed so far is Angela Rayner (who was deputy prime minister until September last year). Her supporters argue she brings a different energy and could broaden Labour’s appeal. Health secretary Wes Streeting is also considered a potential contender, often praised as a polished communicator. There’s also the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, Keir Starmer’s long-standing potential rival (you can read more about him here!).

What’s the Labour party saying?
Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar has called for a change in leadership at Downing Street, claiming there have been "too many mistakes" made at the top of the UK government. But plenty of cabinet ministers rallied around the prime minister, pushing for unity within the party. 

So what now?
Starmer remains prime minister and party leader, with calls to step down being noise in a contested political moment rather than a confirmed campaign to oust him. But he’s still in a tight spot, particularly if pressure keeps growing among MPs or in public opinion.

💰 Money Monday: The UK’s gender pay gap could take another 30 years to close at the current pace, according to the Trades Union Congress (TUC). 

• The bigger story: The gap between men’s and women’s average earnings currently stands at around 12.8%, and progress in narrowing it has slowed. At that rate, the TUC estimates the gap may not close until the mid-2050s. The report points to factors such as women being more likely to take on unpaid childcare and to work part-time. The TUC is using this latest report to call for stronger action from the government, including new legislation to help speed up progress toward equal pay.

🥇 Team GB has secured its first gold medals at the Winter Olympics – ain’t snow stopping them now!

✈️ UK and Canadian nationals will be able to travel to mainland China for up to 30 days without a visa from 17 February. 

💗 A heart pendant is now on display at the British Museum, the only surviving piece of jewellery from Henry VIII’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon.

🧠 Scientists have discovered a temporary cure for selfishness by using electrical currents within the brain.

🐈 Larry the cat has reached his 15th anniversary as the Chief Mouser to No. 10 Downing Street.

🔗 Last week’s most clicked: Seven new villages, Oatly told to drop the “milk” and Merit’s latest launch. 

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Trivia answer: C) Residents of Vlkolínec – an intact medieval settlement – have requested the World Heritage status be revoked after an influx of tourists.

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