Sir Keir Starmer has suggested Andy Burnham could be handed a major role in Government if the Greater Manchester Mayor wins Thursday’s crucial Makerfield by-election, as pressure on the Prime Minister’s leadership continues to mount.
The offer comes amid growing speculation that Burnham is the leading contender to replace Sir Keir should Labour enter a leadership contest in the coming weeks.
Speaking to reporters at the G7 summit in Canada, Sir Keir praised Burnham and indicated he would be welcomed into the Government if elected to Parliament.
He said: “Andy is a huge asset to our party and our movement. I hope he wins the by-election, and he’ll play a big part in the Labour Government. He’s been a very successful mayor.”
The comments were widely interpreted as an attempt to maintain party unity at a time when Labour is facing increasing internal turbulence.
Burnham, who has served as Mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017, has repeatedly declined to offer unequivocal backing to Sir Keir’s leadership. He has previously indicated he would stand in any future Labour leadership contest and is widely expected to return to Westminster if successful in Makerfield.
The by-election, triggered by Labour MP Josh Simons standing down, takes place on Thursday with the result expected in the early hours of Friday morning.
While Labour remains the favourite to hold the seat, the contest has attracted national attention because of its potential implications for the future direction of the party.
Sir Keir also sought to discourage immediate leadership manoeuvring, warning that a contest would be damaging for both Labour and the country.
Asked about the prospect of a challenge, the Prime Minister said a leadership contest would be a “bad thing” and reiterated that he intended to fight any attempt to remove him.
He also pointed to the possibility of a Greater Manchester mayoral by-election should Burnham return to Parliament.
“There is Westminster talk about what might happen in by-elections,” Sir Keir said.
“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.”
The Prime Minister’s intervention comes as senior Labour figures openly discuss the possibility of a leadership contest.
Former Health Secretary Wes Streeting has confirmed he would be prepared to challenge for the leadership if Sir Keir does not step aside.
Speaking to BBC Newsnight, Streeting said: “I would prefer the Prime Minister to take a decision on his own terms rather than leave it for me or Andy or anyone else to trigger a contest.
“But, if not, we can’t carry on with this uncertainty and paralysis and there will need to be a contest and I’d be prepared to do that.”
In a separate speech setting out his economic vision, Streeting said he hoped Burnham would defeat Reform UK in Makerfield but confirmed he would “100 per cent” enter any leadership race.
He also urged Sir Keir to consider his position after the result.
“I’ve not triggered a contest because we’ve got a by-election under way where one of the inevitable candidates is on the ballot paper,” Streeting said.
“When the results are in, I hope the Prime Minister will reflect on his own position and set out a timetable. I think that would be a better way forward for everyone.”
The Prime Minister’s authority has been under increasing scrutiny following a difficult local election cycle for Labour and recent ministerial resignations, including those of Defence Secretary John Healey and Defence Minister Al Carns amid disagreements over defence spending.
Burnham’s supporters argue that his record as Mayor of Greater Manchester, combined with Labour’s electoral difficulties under Sir Keir, make him a strong contender should a leadership contest be called.
Makerfield voters will choose between candidates from Labour, Reform UK, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Greens and several smaller parties and independents.
Among those standing are Labour’s Andy Burnham, Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon, Conservative candidate Michael Winstanley, Restore Britain’s Rebecca Shepherd and representatives from the Liberal Democrats, Green Party, Climate Party, Libertarian Party and others.
The result is expected to be declared early on Friday morning and could prove pivotal not only for the future representation of Makerfield, but also for the direction of the Labour Party itself.
Main Image: For illustration purposes
