Sir Keir Starmer faced his most challenging day as prime minister on Monday, but ultimately, it turned out to be a significant turning point in his favor.

The gravity of the situation was clear, with Labour MPs contemplating a potential change in leadership, a prospect that Ed Miliband, the energy secretary, later described as a moment when they "looked over the precipice."

Miliband's remarks on BBC Breakfast highlighted the severity of the crisis that Sir Keir Starmer had to navigate.

The question of whether Labour MPs would continue to support Sir Keir Starmer was answered, at least for the time being.

However, numerous other questions remain unresolved, leaving uncertainty about the future.

For now, the immediate crisis appears to have been averted.

On Monday afternoon, Sir Keir Starmer's position seemed precarious, with Anas Sarwar, the Scottish Labour leader, poised to call for his resignation, and many cabinet members remaining silent.

The situation was so dire that some officials in Downing Street and many in Westminster believed the prime minister's resignation was imminent.

It is essential to recall the fragility of the situation to appreciate the scale of Sir Keir Starmer's achievement in regaining control.

As Sarwar prepared to call for the prime minister's resignation in Glasgow, a crucial intervention came from David Lammy, the deputy prime minister, who posted on social media that Sir Keir Starmer's mandate should be respected.

This prompted a wave of similar messages from other cabinet members, ministers, MPs, and influential Labour figures.

The show of support resulted from an intense effort by Sir Keir Starmer's inner team, who worked to mobilize backing for the prime minister.

The team, operating from the cabinet room, contacted ministers and provided them with suggested statements to express their support for Sir Keir Starmer.

During a brief and tense call with Sarwar, Sir Keir Starmer reportedly asked a series of questions, including who would replace him and how Labour's prospects could be improved.

Similar questions were posed by Sir Keir Starmer's team to MPs who were wavering in their support.

At the midpoint of Monday, Sir Keir Starmer's position was uncertain, with his survival hanging in the balance.

Although he is no longer in immediate danger, the next challenges are likely to arise in the coming weeks.

It is crucial to understand the limitations of the endorsements Sir Keir Starmer received, as those close to him are aware of what they do and do not signify.

Some Labour members are baffled by the idea of replacing a leader who won a landslide victory and are angry about Sarwar's intervention.

A cabinet minister expressed outrage, stating that Sarwar's actions were unacceptable and that he should not have attempted to bring down the Labour government.

However, other ministers have privately indicated that their support for Sir Keir Starmer is conditional and time-limited.

For some, this means waiting until the May elections, which will have significant consequences for the Labour Party and the governance of devolved regions and councils.

Others believe that another crisis could emerge as early as the Gorton and Denton by-election, where Labour faces challenges from the Greens and Reform UK.

The interpretation of events depends on the individual's perspective, with some loyal to Sir Keir Starmer viewing the health secretary's actions through the lens of his potential ambition to become prime minister.

The health secretary's decision to release his WhatsApp messages with Lord Mandelson has been seen by some as a demonstration of leadership.

The health secretary has stated that he supports the prime minister and is focused on reducing waiting lists, a claim he repeated after the cabinet meeting.

However, his decision to release the WhatsApp messages outside of the formal process will not be emulated by other cabinet members, as the Cabinet Office has instructed them not to do so.

This instruction was sent to government ministers after the health secretary's actions, making it clear that his approach was not to be followed.

Some close to the prime minister have made the incendiary claim that the health secretary was behind Sarwar's intervention, a claim that has been denied.

Rumors circulated that a group of ministers supporting the health secretary would resign from the government before the Parliamentary Labour Party meeting, but this proved to be unfounded.

The fact that such rumors are circulating and that the health secretary's involvement is often suspected reflects the strained relationship between the prime minister and his health secretary.

Several Labour figures, including the health secretary, Angela Rayner, Shabana Mahmood, John Healey, and Ed Miliband, have been mentioned as potential alternatives to Sir Keir Starmer.

However, these individuals are often discussed in terms of their weaknesses rather than their strengths, which is a significant factor in Sir Keir Starmer's continued leadership.

The prime minister's position is secure, at least for the time being, due in part to the perceived flaws of potential alternatives.

The prime minister's chief of staff and director of communications departed on Sunday and Monday, respectively, marking the latest changes in a team that has experienced significant turnover.

Despite the challenges, the prime minister's team has received praise for its effective response to the crisis.

This may give Sir Keir Starmer reason to take his time in appointing permanent replacements for the departed staff members.

One imminent change is expected to be the departure of Sir Chris Wormald, the cabinet secretary and head of the civil service.

Sir Chris was appointed in December 2024, but concerns about his suitability for the role were raised shortly after his appointment.

Sir Keir Starmer is aware that, having parted ways with several appointees, he must now demonstrate his ability to make the necessary changes work.

A key issue at present is the extent to which the prime minister should adopt a more assertive approach. Miliband has argued that a bolder stance is necessary, a view that resonates with many Labour MPs who are seeking a more progressive policy direction.

Certain aspects of Sir Keir's policy platform have proven contentious among Labour MPs, with some decisions sparking significant debate. The departure of McSweeney, the former chief of staff, has raised questions about the impact of his influence on Sir Keir's decision-making process, and it remains to be seen whether a change in leadership will alter this dynamic.

The appointment of a new permanent chief of staff is likely to be a crucial factor in determining the direction of Sir Keir's leadership.

Although Labour MPs responded enthusiastically to Sir Keir's address at the Parliamentary Labour Party meeting on Monday, in which he vowed to oppose Reform and champion the interests of the country, potential policy disputes are still on the horizon, including proposed reforms to the SEND system.

A Labour MP expressed skepticism about Sir Keir's claims of past successes, noting that his record of conflict with the PLP tells a different story, and suggesting that this ongoing tension is unsustainable.