A defiant Sir Keir Starmer has faced down plotters who want to bring him down and told GB News that he wants to be Prime Minister until 2034.

The Prime Minister has been rocked in recent weeks amid claims that backbench MPs want to replace him with a rival such as Wes Streeting, Shabana Mahmood or Ed Miliband.

Allies of the PM made clear he would fight any leadership challenge last week.

Earlier this week, Sir Keir gave an interview to the Labour-supporting Daily Mirror to say that he would definitely fight the next general election.

However speaking to GB News’ Political Editor Christopher Hope on the margins of the G20 summit in South Africa, Sir Keir reiterated his pledge at the election to be Prime Minister for 10 years, which means he would remain as PM until 2034 when he is 72 if the general election is held in 2029.

Asked if he will serve a full second term if he leaders Labour to a second election victory, Sir Keir said: “Yes, I’ve always said this is a decade of national renewal. I know that we were elected on a mandate of change.

“That change is bearing down on the cost of living. Do people feel better off? It’s making sure that public services are turned around, and our NHS in particular, and people feel safe and secure in their community.

“I’ll be judged on that in the next election, quite rightly, by the electorate, and every day, that is what I focus on.”

It was reported at the weekend former deputy leader Angela Rayner is laying the groundwork for a leadership challenge against Sir Keir Starmer.

The former deputy prime minister and housing secretary is already offering Cabinet roles to MPs in exchange for their support, The Telegraph reported.

A source familiar with Ms Rayner’s moves told the newspaper she was “on manoeuvres” and was “getting her ducks in a row” for a leadership bid, adding: “The unions will back her and help her.”

Allies of Ms Rayner dismissed the claims, insisting that she was “focused on representing her local community”.

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Sir Keir met with South African president Cyril Ramaphosa after touching down in Johannesburg.

The PM said it was “really important to be” at the gathering shunned by Donald Trump and announced deals worth £400million for trains, planes and submarines.

Downing Street defended Sir Keir’s trip to South Africa, which comes days before Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to announce tax rises in her second Budget.

Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping are also among the leaders skipping the multilateral forum, which is designed to bring together the world’s leading economies.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang is set to take Mr Xi’s place, but Sir Keir declined to say whether they will meet.

He insisted he would “robustly” protect Britain’s national interests in response to speculation he will visit China early next year and the country’s controversial embassy in London will be approved.

Sir Keir also defended his approach to dealing with Beijing, which was to “co-operate where we can and challenge where we must, particularly on national security”.

Additional reporting by George Bunn.

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