Pressure Intensifies on Sir Keir Starmer
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly under growing pressure from Labour Members of Parliament and cabinet ministers to outline a schedule for his departure from office. This comes in the wake of Andy Burnham's decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election, which has fueled calls for a leadership transition without the need for a potentially divisive internal contest.
Despite these appeals, Sir Keir has publicly affirmed his intention to defend his position against any challenge, stating he will not "walk away" from his role. Allies of Andy Burnham have reportedly urged the Prime Minister to consider his options over the weekend, taking into account the views of his cabinet, MPs, and family.
Internal Discussions and Prime Minister's Stance
Sources indicate that Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander suggested to Sir Keir, during a private conversation as part of broader cabinet calls, that he should set a timetable for leaving office. A spokesperson for Alexander confirmed the discussion but declined to disclose its specifics, citing the private nature of the conversation.
When questioned by the BBC about setting a departure timeline, Sir Keir reiterated his mandate. "I was elected to serve my country with a mandate that we secured at a general election two years ago," he stated, highlighting achievements in economic stability and immigration control, and expressing a desire to continue his work. He firmly added, "if there is a contest, yes I will run. I will stand and I have said repeatedly I am not going to walk away from that."
Addressing Labour staff, Sir Keir emphasized the importance of party unity. He cautioned against internal conflict, stating, "The one thing we've got to avoid doing is plunging our party and our country into chaos by turning on each other and tearing apart our party and our movement." He drew a parallel to the previous government's actions, advising against repeating such divisions. The Prime Minister also stressed the immediate focus should be on the upcoming Greater Manchester mayoralty contest, scheduled for July 30th, which became vacant after Burnham's by-election win.
Burnham's Victory and Leadership Aspirations
Andy Burnham's substantial win in Makerfield, where Labour's vote share increased by 10% and he secured a lead of over 9,000 votes against the Reform UK candidate, has emboldened his supporters to advocate for a leadership challenge. Celebrating his victory, Burnham spoke of an "opportunity to turn the tide… make the country feel like it's working again," vowing to carry the campaign's momentum forward to "change British politics forever."
Louise Haigh, a prominent Burnham ally and former Transport Secretary, expressed hope for a "managed and orderly transition." Labour MP Jo White further echoed this sentiment on BBC Radio 5 Live, urging the Prime Minister to "consider his position very, very carefully" over the weekend. White suggested he should announce a "smooth transition" on Monday, allowing Andy Burnham to become the next Prime Minister, citing constituents' preference for a different leader.
Party Divisions and External Commentary
While some MPs call for a leadership change, other ministers have voiced support for Sir Keir. Chris Ward told BBC's Politics Live that the Prime Minister holds a mandate from both the party and the country, which he has been fulfilling for the past two years, and will continue to do so. Burnham's return to Westminster as an MP, after a nine-year absence, now qualifies him to contend for the Labour leadership. To trigger a leadership contest, a challenger, including Burnham, needs the endorsement of 81 Labour MPs. Wes Streeting, another potential challenger, has indicated he has sufficient backing but might step aside if Burnham gains significant momentum.
Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Labour for being "obsessed" with "drama," speaking from Aberdeen South where her party achieved a historic by-election win in Scotland.
Source: PM under pressure from Labour MPs and ministers to set timetable for exit