Business Secretary Peter Kyle has cautioned Labour against descending into the kind of leadership turmoil that plagued the Conservative Party, taking a veiled swipe at potential rivals to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Speaking at a press gallery lunch in Westminster, Mr Kyle expressed frustration that his party had failed to learn from the damage caused by a revolving door of Conservative premiers. He criticised MPs for placing all blame for Labour's struggles on Mr Starmer, warning that “entitlement is not a qualification for leadership” in an apparent dig at Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who is widely expected to challenge the PM if he returns to Westminster.
Mr Kyle said: “I don’t think we’ve learned the lessons of the Tory party in government, where every time there was a problem… there was only one solution, and that’s changing the leader at the top. There was never any acceptance… that the challenges… were related to a programme of government.”
He argued that the “wrong behaviour” is rewarded in politics, as politicians who thrust themselves forward during instability gain attention, while those who deliver stability are overlooked. Mr Kyle also signalled he would not support his long-time friend Wes Streeting, who quit the Cabinet last month after telling the PM he had lost confidence in his leadership, stating: “If you put friendship ahead of what you believe is in the interest of the country, that takes you to a very bad place.”
Mr Kyle acknowledged that voters want bolder action, saying: “People want to see that government can match the scale of challenges that they perceive we have as a country.” He suggested Labour could adopt the boldness and speed of Donald Trump’s approach for progressive policies.
