Sir Keir Starmer has declined to set a timetable for his departure as Labour leader, as challengers Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting vie to replace him. The Prime Minister is reportedly considering whether to contest the leadership challenge, with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stating it is a 'very personal decision for him'.
Wes Streeting, the former Health Secretary, launched his leadership bid on Saturday, calling Brexit a 'catastrophic mistake' and advocating for a 'new special relationship' with the European Union. However, Lisa Nandy rebuked him for making Europe a central issue, saying revisiting the Brexit debate is like saying 'life was fine in 2015, we just need to go back there'.
Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has set out a 'new path for Britain' focusing on reindustrialisation, public control of energy and water, and a post-war level of council house building. He is standing in the Makerfield by-election, where his majority is vulnerable at around 5,000 votes.
Nigel Farage has branded Burnham 'open borders Burnham' and warned that his position on Europe raises serious questions about border control. Supporters of Burnham are reportedly furious with Streeting, believing his emphasis on Brexit is a deliberate attempt to undermine Burnham in the leave-voting constituency of Makerfield.
The stakes are high for Burnham, who faces a tough by-election battle. If he wins, he would be virtually assured of replacing Starmer as Prime Minister. However, victory is far from guaranteed, with Reform UK expected to pour resources into tripping up Labour's candidate.
