Angela Rayner has issued a statement calling the decision to block Andy Burnham from returning to parliament a mistake, as pressure intensifies on Prime Minister Keir Starmer following Labour's poor election results. In a 1,000-word statement, the former deputy prime minister said Starmer 'must now meet the moment' and set out a change in direction for the party and the country.
Rayner argued that Labour needs to bring its 'best players' into parliament and embrace the type of agenda that has been successful at a local level, rather than 'reaching back to an agenda and politics that has failed people'. She warned that 'policy tweaks will not fix the fundamental challenges' and that the government must at pace put measures in place to make people's lives tangibly better.
The intervention comes as backbench MP Catherine West has issued an ultimatum, saying she will challenge Starmer for the leadership on Monday if he does not set out a timetable to resign. About 40 MPs have already called on Starmer to step down or set out an exit plan. Health Secretary Wes Streeting is understood to be prepared to run for leader if Starmer's premiership falls apart, but will not make the first move.
Starmer is expected to give a speech on Monday to set out his vision for turning the country around. Allies say he is determined to fight on, but acknowledge he must deliver the speech of his political life to keep Labour MPs on board. There are doubts it will be enough, with many MPs anxious about the chaos a contest could unleash but also feeling desperate after the elections.
Rayner also criticised the appointment of Peter Mandelson as US ambassador, calling it evidence of 'a toxic culture of cronyism'. She called for tackling 'dodgy money in our politics' and putting the common interest ahead of factionalism.
