Key facts
- UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated he will contest any Labour leadership challenge.
- Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election.
- Starmer vowed not to 'walk away' from his position.
- A Labour leadership contest requires nomination from at least 81 MPs.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated he would participate in any leadership contest, 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, have indicated he would not be interested in a cabinet post under Starmer if he returned to Westminster, suggesting his aim is to represent change for Labour. Starmer, speaking from the Makerfield by-election, congratulated Burnham on his victory over Reform UK but insisted he "will stand" in any contest. Burnham's win has left Starmer's leadership under peril as scores of Labour backbenchers travelled to Greater Manchester to support the popular figure on his electoral campaign over recent weeks. Burnham has publicly said he would enter a leadership contest, though it now remains to be seen how a race may be triggered. Speaking after his election victory, Burnham warned that Labour was facing its "last chance" to win any election. Challengers to Starmer must get the backing of at least 81 MPs in order to trigger a contest, with leadership hopefuls then having to gain support from unions and most members in order to win. Burnham suggested that Wes Streeting’s resignation from the government represented an opening for the job of Prime Minister. Streeting has said he has the necessary backing of 81 MPs needed to trigger a contest, though polls suggest that the former health secretary would be unlikely to beat either Burnham or Starmer in a contest. It has been reported that both Shabana Mahmood and Ed Miliband have privately urged Starmer to resign, though both remain in the Cabinet. Their resignations could add to tensions within the government, adding to last week’s blow when John Healey resigned as defence secretary. "There is a chance now from this result tonight to build a new politics based on unity and hope. Turning away from the path that takes us to a divided, dark politics of the kind we see in the United States," Burnham said. "We must now take this path and put this country back on the right path, and bring people back together and get things working properly again."