In a dramatic escalation of internal Labour tensions, Clive Lewis MP has publicly demanded that Sir Keir Starmer be replaced as Prime Minister by Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester. This represents the first time a sitting MP has explicitly called for Burnham to take the top job, marking a significant rebellion within the party.
A Direct Challenge to Starmer's Leadership
Speaking to Channel 4 on Friday night, the MP for Norwich South stated the Labour Party must put 'country before party' and remove Starmer from office. Mr Lewis expressed his personal view that the party's grandees should find a way to install Andy Burnham as the next Prime Minister, declaring he saw no other viable options for the government.
This is not the first time Mr Lewis has broken ranks. He initially called for the Prime Minister to stand down on September 12, following the sacking of former US ambassador Lord Peter Mandelson. At that time, he told the BBC's The Week in Westminster that he believed Starmer was not up to the job and that the prospect of Nigel Farage leading in the polls was terrifying for the country.
Precarious Position Amid 'Toxic' Briefing
Lewis's latest comments come during a particularly challenging week for the Prime Minister. A 'toxic' briefing to journalists about internal cabinet challenges, allegedly involving Health Secretary Wes Streeting, backfired spectacularly. Instead of shoring up Starmer's position, it dominated front-page news and created the impression of a Downing Street in chaos.
While Starmer claimed he did not authorise the briefing and cleared his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, of involvement, the damage was done. Wes Streeting vehemently denied any leadership plot, accusing the anonymous briefers of having 'watched too much Celebrity Traitors'. The Prime Minister has since personally phoned Mr Streeting to apologise.
The Burnham Factor and Constitutional Hurdles
The endorsement of Andy Burnham adds a new layer of complexity to the leadership speculation. However, a significant constitutional obstacle stands in the way. As the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Mr Burnham is not currently a sitting MP, a requirement for becoming Prime Minister. His current mayoral term also runs until 2028.
Mr Burnham has not commented on Lewis's remarks. Earlier in the autumn, he was accused of positioning himself for the leadership, criticising Starmer for creating a mood of 'alienation and demoralisation' and outlining his own tax-and-spend manifesto. This prompted a backlash from ministers who highlighted his existing mayoral commitments.
This public call for a change at the top, combined with the recent internal briefing row, leaves Sir Keir Starmer facing renewed and intense speculation about his ability to lead the Labour Party into the next election.
