Keir Starmer will not attempt to block Andy Burnham from standing as Labour’s candidate in the Makerfield by-election, according to a party ally. The Greater Manchester mayor has declared his intention to return to Westminster, citing the cost of living crisis as a priority. His path was cleared after Josh Simons, the sitting MP, announced he would resign to free up the seat.
An ally of Starmer said: “Keir is focused on bringing the party together so it can tackle the issues facing working families.” Burnham’s move is widely seen as a potential challenge to Starmer’s leadership, with several senior Labour figures backing a contest. Former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner has also been tipped as a possible contender, though she has yet to confirm her intentions.
In a further development, Wes Streeting resigned as health secretary, calling for a leadership contest with “the best possible field of candidates”. He told Starmer: “It is now clear that you will not lead the Labour party into the next general election.” James Murray has been appointed as the new health secretary, while Lucy Rigby takes over as Chief Secretary to the Treasury and Rachel Blake becomes Economic Secretary to the Treasury.
Angela Rayner has resolved her tax affairs with HM Revenue & Customs, paying £40,000 in unpaid stamp duty. She has been cleared of deliberate wrongdoing or carelessness. Separately, Nigel Farage has offered a new explanation for a £5m gift from a Reform UK donor, claiming it was a reward for his years of Brexit campaigning, rather than for security purposes as previously stated.
Liverpool mayor Steve Rotheram said Labour should welcome a leadership contest from Burnham, warning that the party faces an “existential threat”. Liberal Democrat MP Lisa Smart criticised Labour’s handling of the by-election, saying the party’s “internal psychodrama” has triggered it and that they should cover the costs.
