Sir Keir Starmer is chairing his first meeting of the new-look Cabinet this morning, following the resignation of Wes Streeting as health secretary last week. The weekly Downing Street gathering comes as new polling suggests Andy Burnham would beat the Prime Minister in a head-to-head Labour leadership contest.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy joked it was “a nicer week than last week” as he arrived for the meeting, as Sir Keir sought to demonstrate that the business of government continues despite Westminster turmoil. Mr Burnham, the Greater Manchester Mayor, has announced he will contest the Makerfield by-election, stating that a vote for him would be a vote to “change Labour”.
If Sir Keir does not resign, Mr Burnham would need the backing of 81 Labour MPs to trigger a leadership challenge. However, Leeds MP Alex Sobel suggested the mayor would not immediately seek a contest, saying he would “come back and potentially serve in the Government, try and help us turn this Government round”.
YouGov polling indicates Mr Burnham is the preferred candidate for Labour members, with 47% ranking him first choice, compared to 31% for Sir Keir. In a head-to-head, 59% would back the mayor, while 37% would support the Prime Minister. Only 4% ranked Mr Streeting as first choice, with 57% saying he was wrong to resign.
Mr Burnham has called for more devolution, criticising a “bloated national state” and a “malnourished local one”. He also rowed back on previous comments about EU membership, stating he is “not proposing that the UK considers rejoining” the bloc, despite earlier saying he wanted the UK back in the EU within his lifetime.
