Sir Keir Starmer has been accused by allies of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham of attempting to sabotage his campaign in the upcoming Makerfield by-election. The accusation comes after Starmer suggested that the UK could rejoin the European Union "years down the line," a comment seen as undermining Burnham's position on Brexit.
Starmer's EU Rejoin Comments Spark Backlash
In a recent statement, Sir Keir Starmer indicated that the UK might consider rejoining the EU at some point in the future. This remark has been interpreted by Burnham's camp as a deliberate move to weaken his campaign. Burnham, who is contesting the Makerfield by-election, has distanced himself from his previous pro-Remain views, as the constituency voted overwhelmingly to leave the EU in 2016.
Burnham's Allies Accuse Downing Street
Allies of Andy Burnham have accused the Prime Minister and Downing Street of trying to sabotage his campaign by not ruling out a Labour pledge to rejoin the EU. They argue that Starmer's comments could alienate Leave-voting constituents in Makerfield, where Burnham is seeking to win support from voters who backed Brexit.
It has also been revealed that Starmer's allies have warned Labour MPs that Burnham could potentially reinstate former leader Jeremy Corbyn if he were to become Labour leader. This has added further tension to the already strained relationship between the two figures.
Polling Shows Burnham Would Beat Starmer in Leadership Contest
New polling data suggests that Andy Burnham would defeat Sir Keir Starmer in a Labour leadership contest, despite Starmer's commitment to remain in his role as Prime Minister. The poll indicates that Burnham enjoys significant support among Labour members and the wider electorate, posing a potential challenge to Starmer's leadership.
The by-election in Makerfield is seen as a crucial test for both Burnham and Starmer, with the outcome likely to have implications for the future direction of the Labour Party.
