PM Urges Focus on Greater Manchester Mayoral Election
Sir Keir Starmer has cautioned Andy Burnham against initiating an immediate leadership challenge if he is elected as an MP, advising both Burnham and the Labour Party to concentrate on the upcoming Greater Manchester mayoral election instead.
If Burnham secures victory in Makerfield on Thursday, he would be required to resign as Manchester mayor, prompting a by-election expected by 6 August to fill his position.
Burnham is widely expected to challenge Sir Keir for the Labour leadership should he enter Parliament.
Leadership Contest Viewed as Detrimental
Speaking from the G7 summit, the prime minister described a leadership contest as a "bad thing" for the country and reaffirmed his intention to contest any such challenge.
Sir Keir emphasized the significance of the potential mayoral election, stating that the party must intensify efforts to secure another Labour victory.
"The potential mayoral election would be very important and my party are going to have to pull our sleeves up to make sure that there is another Labour victory," he said.
Additionally, the prime minister suggested he would offer Burnham a cabinet position if he wins the Makerfield seat, telling reporters:
"I hope he wins the by-election and he'll play big part in the Labour government."
Labour MP Wes Streeting Prepared for Leadership Contest
The prime minister's warning coincides with Labour MP Wes Streeting's declaration that he is ready to trigger a leadership contest as early as next week.
Streeting resigned as health secretary last month but delayed making a leadership challenge until after the Makerfield by-election to allow Burnham the opportunity to participate.
Speaking to BBC's Newsnight, Streeting remarked that any "uncertainty and paralysis" in Labour's leadership must be resolved if the party wins the Makerfield by-election on Thursday.
When asked about Streeting's intentions, Sir Keir responded:
"There is Westminster talk about what might happen in by-elections.
Meanwhile, I would just gently point out, that we do have a Manchester mayoralty by-election which will follow immediately on if Andy Burnham wins the by-election.
I hope he wins, but we then tip straight into the Manchester mayoralty by-election… so we're all going to have to focus on that."
Implications of Burnham's Potential Victory
The prime minister's remarks signal the argument he is likely to present on Friday if Burnham wins in Makerfield.
Some Labour MPs express concern that Reform UK could win the Manchester mayoral by-election, despite Burnham having secured a substantial victory when the position was last contested in 2024.
Supporters of Burnham argue that the critical nature of the mayoralty strengthens the case for him to assume the prime ministership sooner rather than later.
Sir Keir Reflects on His Leadership
Reflecting more broadly on his role, Sir Keir stated:
"Being prime minister is the privilege of my life, and every day I remind myself that that is an honour.
It is a duty, and I'm here to serve, that is why I came into politics.
Not a day goes by where I don't remind myself it's a privilege."
Additional Information
A full list of candidates standing in the Makerfield by-election is available here.
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