Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will not step down after Andy Burnham announced he would challenge him for the Labour leadership if he wins the Makerfield by-election, Downing Street has confirmed.
Speaking on BBC Question Time, the Greater Manchester Mayor said he would seek to join a leadership contest if one is triggered, accusing Westminster of prioritising “point scoring” over “problem solving”. Burnham is one of 14 candidates in the by-election, triggered after Labour MP Josh Simons stood down.
A No 10 spokesperson responded: “The Labour Party has a process for challenging a leader and it has not been triggered. The Prime Minister will not walk away from the mandate he was given just two years ago.” Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy also backed Starmer, stating he would fight any contest.
Attorney General Lord Hermer expressed confidence in Starmer’s ability to survive, saying: “No one has ever got rich betting against Keir Starmer.” A by-election poll released Thursday gave Burnham 49% support, ahead of Reform UK’s Robert Kenyon on 39%.
