Pressure Mounts on PM Starmer Following Makerfield By-Election
Sir Keir Starmer is encountering increasing calls from Labour MPs to establish a timetable for his departure from Downing Street after Andy Burnham secured a decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election.
A growing faction within the Labour Party is urging Sir Keir to announce plans to transfer leadership to the former Greater Manchester mayor, potentially avoiding a contentious leadership contest.
However, the prime minister has maintained his position, stating he will contest any leadership challenge and will not "walk away" from his role.
Burnham's supporters have encouraged Sir Keir to take time over the weekend to reflect and heed the advice of cabinet ministers, MPs, and his family.
The teams of both Burnham and another potential challenger, Wes Streeting, have indicated they will refrain from media interviews over the weekend, seemingly to allow the prime minister space to reconsider his stance.
During a recent conversation with Sir Keir, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander reportedly suggested he outline a timetable for his departure, according to BBC sources.
A spokesperson for Alexander stated:
"Heidi and the PM spoke this afternoon as part of wider cabinet calls. It was a private conversation and I am not going to reveal what was said."
When asked about setting a departure timetable, Sir Keir responded to the BBC:
"I was elected to serve my country with a mandate that we secured at a general election two years ago."
He highlighted achievements including economic stability and controlling immigration, adding there was more work to be done.
He further stated:
"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."
Calls for Party Unity Amid Leadership Debate
In a midday call, Sir Keir addressed Labour staff, emphasizing the need for cohesion:
"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.
That has never worked. That's what the last government did. We need to learn that lesson."
He has previously advocated focusing on winning the Greater Manchester mayoralty, now vacant following Burnham's by-election success. The election is scheduled for 30 July.
The magnitude of Burnham's victory in Makerfield, where he increased Labour's vote share by 10% and defeated the Reform UK candidate by over 9,000 votes, has intensified calls from his supporters for a leadership challenge.
Speaking at Ashton Town Football Club, Burnham described the win as:
"An opportunity to turn the tide… make the country feel like it's working again."
He expressed intent to carry the campaign's momentum forward and to "change British politics forever."
Louise Haigh, a Burnham ally and former Transport Secretary, expressed hope for a "managed and orderly transition."
Labour MP Jo White, representing Bassetlaw, told BBC Radio 5 Live that the prime minister needed to carefully consider his position over the weekend:
"I think he needs the peace and quiet of his family and listening to his ministers and I think he should announce on Monday morning that there will be a smooth transition and we allow Andy Burnham to become the next prime minister for the United Kingdom."
White added that constituents in Bassetlaw were expressing a preference against Sir Keir as prime minister.
Conversely, some ministers have voiced support for Sir Keir. Chris Ward told BBC's Politics Live:
"The Prime Minister has a mandate from the party to be the leader, and from the country to lead the country.
That's the mandate he's been delivering for the last two years.
And he's going to step up delivering in the coming months as we move into the next phase of the government."
Leadership Contest Possibilities and Party Rules
Burnham's return to Westminster as an MP after a seven-year hiatus enables him to stand for Labour leader, a position he was ineligible for as Greater Manchester mayor.
To initiate a leadership contest, Burnham or any other challenger must secure the backing of 81 Labour MPs.
Wes Streeting has indicated he has sufficient MP support to enter a contest but may withdraw if party momentum favors Burnham.
Labour's rules allow Sir Keir, as incumbent leader, to appear on the ballot without needing MP nominations.
Opposition Reaction and Political Context
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Labour's internal focus, accusing the party of being "obsessed" with "drama." She made these remarks from Aberdeen South, where the Conservatives recently won their first by-election in Scotland in over 50 years.
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