Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivered a light-hearted jab at French President Emmanuel Macron last night, donning a pair of aviator-style sunglasses during a surprise appearance at a live political podcast recording. The moment provided a humorous interlude amid ongoing Labour Party tensions over a critical by-election.
Top Gun Reference and Macron's 'Eye of the Tiger'
Sir Keir quipped 'bonjour' as he put on the glasses, directly referencing Macron's recent fashion statement at the World Economic Forum in Davos. The French leader had worn £575 tinted spectacles to conceal a burst blood vessel in his right eye, humorously dubbing the look 'l'oeil du tigre' or 'the eye of the tiger' – a nod to the Survivor song from Rocky III.
Posting footage of the moment on his TikTok account and tagging President Macron, the Prime Minister later wrote 'talk to me Goose', a clear reference to the iconic Top Gun films where Tom Cruise sports similar aviator glasses. The audience at The Political Podcast, hosted by former Labour aide Matt Forde, erupted in laughter as Starmer suggested he might consider wearing them to future international summits.
Burnham Blockade Defended
Beyond the spectacle humour, Sir Keir used the London theatre recording to staunchly defend his controversial decision to prevent Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from returning to Westminster. This move effectively blocks a potential leadership challenge from the popular regional figure.
More than fifty Members of Parliament have signed a letter urging Labour's ruling National Executive Committee to reconsider the issue, as the party faces the real prospect of losing the Gorton & Denton seat in the hastily arranged February 26th by-election.
By-Election Challenges Mount
With Reform UK and the Green Party expressing confidence about their chances despite former MP Andrew Gwynne's 13,000 majority in 2024, Labour appears to be struggling to secure a high-profile candidate. Manchester Council Leader Bev Craig ruled herself out of contention last night, compounding the party's difficulties.
The Prime Minister remained defiant during the podcast recording, emphasising that Mr Burnham was refused permission primarily to avoid triggering an unnecessary election for the Manchester mayoralty, rather than due to any perceived leadership threat.
'What the NEC decided was we didn't want to open up another front for a fight we didn't have to have, which was the mayoralty in Greater Manchester … it wasn't actually about the individual at all,' Sir Keir explained to the audience.
Government Insists Decision Final
Housing Secretary Steve Reed reinforced this position during broadcast interviews this morning, declaring the matter 'done and dusted'. He highlighted that Labour's National Executive Committee voted overwhelmingly, eight to one, to keep Mr Burnham as Manchester Mayor.
'Andy was elected only two years ago to serve a four-year term,' Mr Reed stated. 'He made a commitment to serve that four-year term, and it's reasonable that the people of Manchester should have him continuing doing, frankly, the outstanding job that he's doing until his term comes to an end.'
The Housing Secretary concluded: 'It's a decision that's done and it's dusted. Now, the Labour Party members in Gorton & Denton will go ahead and they will select the person they want to be the Labour Party candidate in that by-election, and we will then fight to win that by-election.'
As the political spectacle continues, Starmer's playful Macron imitation serves as a brief moment of levity in what has become a serious test of Labour's unity and electoral strategy ahead of the crucial February contest.
