Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he will not set out a timetable to leave No 10, as Andy Burnham vowed to 'change Labour' if he succeeds in his bid to return to Parliament through the Makerfield by-election. The Prime Minister stated he intends to lead Labour into the next general election, despite internal calls for a clear exit strategy.
Starmer's Stance on Leadership
Speaking to broadcasters in London, Sir Keir was asked whether he would outline a timeline to stand down if his rival, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, returns to Westminster. The Prime Minister replied, 'I'm not going to do that.' He added, 'I do want to fight the next election. Obviously, I recognise that after the local election results, and the elections in Wales and Scotland, the first task is turning things around and ensuring my focus is in the right place.'
Reflecting on recent political activity, Sir Keir said, 'The last 10 days have seen a lot of activity, which hasn't been as focused as it should have been. I remind myself every day that I was elected to serve the people and the country, and that's what I'll be getting on with.' When pressed on whether he would contest a leadership challenge if a rival secured the necessary 81 MPs, he responded, 'We're not at that position... but I've said, I don't know how many times, that I'm not going to walk away.'
Burnham's Vision for Change
Andy Burnham, who hopes to be Labour's candidate in the Makerfield by-election, criticised the party's offering to voters as 'simply not good enough.' In a speech at a northern investment summit in Leeds, he declared, 'I'm clear about what I am offering. If I get to stand, a vote for me will be a vote to change Labour, because Labour needs to change if we are to regain people's trust.' He promised 'a new path which brings the country back together' and advocated for further devolution, arguing there is a 'bloated national state' and a 'malnourished local one.'
Burnham emphasised his desire to 'transfer power and resources back to local areas' if returned to Parliament. On Brexit, he clarified he is 'not proposing that the UK considers rejoining' the European Union, warning against re-running past arguments. Instead, he urged focus on common ground ahead of the by-election in the Leave-voting Makerfield seat. Previously, Burnham had expressed hope for the UK to rejoin the EU within his lifetime, but Brexit is expected to be a major issue in any Labour leadership contest.
By-Election Dynamics
The by-election was triggered after Josh Simons, who last week called for Burnham to stand in Makerfield, formally left the Commons by being appointed Steward and Bailiff of the Three Hundreds of Chiltern. Applications for Labour's candidacy closed on Monday, with the party's National Executive Committee set to endorse a candidate on Thursday. Sir Keir described the contest as 'a fight between Labour and Reform' and said he would 'back 100% whoever the candidate is.' He urged party unity, stating that 'whatever views people may have on the direction of the party, that needs to be put to one side' for Labour to campaign together.
