Andy Burnham has confirmed for the first time that he would challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership if he becomes an MP and a contest is triggered. Speaking on a special Makerfield by-election edition of BBC Question Time, the Greater Manchester Mayor joked that 'Wes Streeting seems to have launched a leadership contest' and said he had asked aides to have a 'proper look at this'.
Deputy PM David Lammy responded that Burnham would be a 'great asset in Westminster' but stressed that Starmer has a five-year mandate. A Number 10 spokesperson added: 'The country expects us to focus on governing and to deliver change for hardworking people, not get distracted by Westminster debates.'
The Reform UK candidate in Makerfield, Jack Kenyon, faced a hostile audience after being branded a 'sexist plumber' for refusing to apologise to Carol Vorderman over a derogatory online remark. He also failed to defend Nigel Farage over a £5 million gift from a crypto billionaire, which is under investigation by Parliament's standards commissioner.
Elsewhere, the Prime Minister urged FIFA to 'think of the fans' after the governing body banned reusable water bottles at World Cup stadiums, sparking concerns over supporter welfare in extreme heat. Starmer criticised the move as 'about making money', adding that ticket prices are already 'far too expensive'.
Burnham, who admitted he would 'seek to join' any leadership contest, later distanced himself from talk of a snap general election, telling The Guardian: 'Calling a general election? I’m sorry, I think there’s a limit to how much time people want people to be on their doorsteps.'
A Number 10 spokeswoman also criticised Kemi Badenoch’s suggestion that identity politics could lead to 'civil war', saying: 'That’s not the Britain that we recognise. We are reasonable, tolerant people.'
