Key facts
- Harriet Harman believes Andy Burnham is destined to become Prime Minister.
- Harman suggests a significant shift in support away from Keir Starmer.
- Burnham might call a general election to legitimize his leadership if he replaces Starmer.
- The Makerfield byelection on June 18 is seen as a potential stepping stone for Burnham.
- Other Labour figures, including Alan Johnson and Jess Phillips, have also called for Starmer's resignation.
Labour's former deputy leader Harriet Harman has stated that Andy Burnham is on track to become Prime Minister, suggesting a significant shift in sentiment against the current leader, Keir Starmer. Harman described the situation as a "herd stampeding" and indicated that Burnham might seek a new mandate through a general election if he were to take over the party leadership.
Harman's comments, made at the Hay literary festival and to Sky News, suggest a potential leadership challenge for Starmer, especially if Burnham wins the upcoming Makerfield byelection on June 18. She posited that Burnham might feel compelled to call a general election to avoid being labeled a "usurper," a scenario she compared to Gordon Brown's premiership after succeeding Tony Blair.
Other prominent Labour figures have also voiced concerns about Starmer's leadership. Former Health Secretary Alan Johnson believes Burnham will "overthrow" Starmer this year, while Jess Phillips has urged Starmer to resign, stating his time is up. Labour MP Sarah Owen has called for a "managed process" and an "orderly transition" of power.
Harman, who has served as deputy leader under Gordon Brown and Ed Miliband, and as interim party leader, also commented on the broader political landscape, dismissing notions that Britain is "ungovernable" but acknowledging the difficulty of the prime ministerial role.