Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride has warned that Andy Burnham would unleash “reckless” tax hikes and welfare spending if he becomes Prime Minister, as Sir Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure to resign. Mr Burnham is set to make a dramatic return to Westminster on Monday to be sworn in as an MP following his victory in last week’s Makerfield by-election, and is expected to deliver a rallying cry to Labour backbenchers.
Burnham's return triggers Starmer's potential exit
Mr Burnham’s return is likely to trigger Sir Keir’s departure after a catastrophic premiership. US President Donald Trump has claimed the Prime Minister “will resign”, accusing him of failing on immigration and energy policies. Around 100 Labour MPs have publicly called on Sir Keir to set out a timetable for his departure, and Cabinet ministers have privately pressured him to make way for Mr Burnham.
Sir Mel Stride told the Express: “Andy Burnham wants to tear up Labour’s already disastrous economic legacy and go even further. This will punish hard-working people who do the right thing. Rachel Reeves has already raised taxes by over £60 billion while letting the welfare bill spiral out of control. Andy Burnham wants to double down on all her mistakes, with yet more taxes and more reckless spending and borrowing.”
Fiscal concerns and flip-flopping
Speaking to the BBC, Sir Mel added: “My concern about Andy Burnham is the flip flopping - he does not seem to know what the fiscal rules are. I think the concern that I have is, in terms of what is good for the country, even if we have a change of Prime Minister now, and that looks increasingly likely – what is going to follow?”
Mr Burnham has been approached for a response to the claims. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump fired a fresh broadside at Sir Keir on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, writing: “Keir Starmer will resign as Prime Minister of The United Kingdom. He failed badly on two very important subjects – IMMIGRATION AND ENERGY (OPEN NORTH SEA OIL!). I wish him well! President DJT.” Mr Trump has repeatedly urged the UK to open up the North Sea for oil instead of using “windmills”.
Starmer's future uncertain
Sources insisted on Sunday that Sir Keir, who spent the weekend discussing his future with his wife Victoria at the PM’s country retreat Chequers, had yet to make a final decision. However, one of his Cabinet allies failed to deny claims that he is poised to quit. Peter Kyle, the Business Secretary, said the Prime Minister is reflecting on the “political realities” he now faces. This marks a stark change from 48 hours earlier when Sir Keir vowed not to walk away from his post after Mr Burnham’s by-election victory.
Pressure has been mounting for weeks, with Cabinet minister Wes Streeting, former Health Secretary, and ex-Defence Secretary John Healey, plus a number of junior ministers, resigning since Labour’s humiliating local elections defeats in May.
Timeline for transition
It is understood Mr Burnham’s camp wants Sir Keir to set out his plans in the coming days but would accept a timetable that kept him in No 10 until September. It is not yet clear whether Sir Keir will resign immediately or have a longer “orderly” exit during the summer.
