Key facts
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated he will contest any Labour leadership challenge.
- Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election with a significant majority.
- Allies of Burnham and Wes Streeting are urging Starmer not to fight a leadership challenge.
- A majority of Starmer's cabinet believe Andy Burnham is likely to become prime minister.
- Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has told Starmer he should resign.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated he will contest any Labour leadership challenge, following speculation that Andy Burnham might challenge him after securing a parliamentary seat. Starmer told reporters on Friday that while he does not believe a leadership challenge would benefit the country, he would "run" and "stand" if one occurred, emphasizing he would not "walk away."
Allies of Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, and Wes Streeting are reportedly asking cabinet ministers, friends, and Labour grandees to persuade Starmer over the weekend not to fight a leadership challenge. Burnham, who won a significant majority in the Makerfield by-election, is expected to travel to London to meet MPs, with some believing around 200 Labour MPs are prepared to sign his nomination papers. Starmer, however, has insisted he will not resign and would fight any contest, warning that such a move would "plunge us into chaos."
Louise Haigh, who helped lead Burnham's campaign, called for Starmer to avoid a "brutal and unpleasant" leadership contest and set out a timetable for his exit. Angela Rayner, a former deputy prime minister, has stated she will not run in any contest where Burnham challenges Starmer. Starmer's operation is reportedly preparing for a potential leadership campaign, including looking at office space and raising donations, and believes they have enough support to match a challenge.
Burnham stated his by-election victory could be a "turning point" and that people voted for "change." Starmer's allies argue that Burnham's victory speech lacked fresh ideas and that the policies he announced were already being implemented by the government.
A clear majority of Keir Starmer’s cabinet believe it is now inevitable Andy Burnham will take over as prime minister, according to people familiar with the thinking of more than 15 cabinet ministers. However, most remained unwilling to do anything about it, preferring to wait and see how developments unfold. Starmer held telephone conversations with senior ministers throughout the day to gauge their positions. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander did tell Starmer that he should go, and more could follow suit. The key question remains whether the cabinet will move decisively against him. Meanwhile, Burnham does not intend to launch an immediate leadership challenge, people familiar with his plans said. His victory over Nigel Farage’s Reform UK in Makerfield proves Burnham is best placed to lead Labour against the populist right, they added, arguing that the longer Starmer tries to resist the more damaging his exit will be.