David Lammy, the deputy prime minister and justice secretary, has refused to set a timetable for Keir Starmer's departure from Downing Street, amid ongoing leadership speculation following Labour's poor local election results. Speaking to Sky News, Lammy insisted that Starmer remains resilient and focused on governing, saying: 'There will be no timetable for departure.'
The comments come as Starmer visited Labour headquarters to rally staff ahead of the crucial Makerfield byelection, where Andy Burnham is expected to be the candidate after the sitting MP Josh Simons stepped down. Starmer urged the party to unite behind the candidate to defeat Reform UK, stating: 'It is Labour versus Reform... Whoever they are I am going to support them 100%.'
Lammy acknowledged the internal turmoil, describing the past ten days as a 'spectacular own goal' for Labour. However, he stressed the need to focus on governing and the upcoming byelection, adding that Burnham would be 'a great addition to parliament'. Sources have denied that Starmer is considering stepping aside for Burnham.
On the issue of Europe, Lammy reaffirmed the government's red lines against rejoining the EU's customs union, single market, or full membership, following comments by former health secretary Wes Streeting that Britain's long-term future lay in rejoining. Lammy said: 'I'm committed to collective responsibility, the manifesto we stood on.'
