Starmer management contest is like ‘Celebrity Traitors auditions’ as PM ‘out quickly’

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has accused Labour of being “completely distracted by political infighting” as candidates jostle to replace Keir Starmer, while families struggle with the cost-of-living crisis

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The SNP’s Westminster leader has slammed the “squabbling” and “political infighting” within the UK Government – with Stephen Flynn comparing potential contenders hoping to replace Sir Keir Starmer to “auditions for Labour Party Celebrity Traitors”.

The SNP MP declared that with households across the UK facing “real pressure” during the cost-of-living crisis, it was “unforgivable” for Labour to be “completely distracted by political infighting”.

Mr Flynn spoke out amidst rumours that disappointing election results for Labour this week could see the Prime Minister, who has already faced intense criticism over appointing Lord Peter Mandelson as the UK’s ambassador to the US, ousted from Downing Street.

Polling suggests Labour could perform poorly in Thursday’s Holyrood elections, and might also surrender control of the Senedd in Wales for the first time since devolution began. English council elections on the same day could deliver additional damaging results for the party.

During this turmoil, reports have indicated Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has a strategy to return to Westminster “within weeks” and wishes to challenge the Prime Minister.

Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, is also reportedly contemplating a bid, while there is additional speculation surrounding former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner.

Sir Keir has appealed to his party not to repeat the Conservatives’ error of “descending into political infighting”. However, Mr Flynn stated that at a time when “people are desperately worried about their finances and jobs” there were Labour politicians who “only seem to care about furthering their own careers, in a pathetic game of Westminster musical chairs”.

The SNP MP, who is himself standing for Holyrood on Thursday, added: “At a time when families are under real pressure, it is unforgivable that the Labour Party Government is doing nothing to help and is, instead, completely distracted by political infighting .”

Speaking ahead of those elections Mr Flynn predicted: “Voters will punish the Labour Party for imposing chaos, and squabbling over who gets to be the next party leader, instead of helping families with the cost-of-living emergency.

“Voters were promised change but Keir Starmer has only delivered chaos and Brexit Britain is more broken than ever before.

“Under the Labour Party, energy bills are £400 higher than promised, food and fuel prices are through the roof, unemployment is at a five-year high and families are struggling to get by.”

While he claimed the SNP Government at Holyrood was “laser-focused on helping families with the strongest cost-of-living support anywhere in the UK” Mr Flynn said: “The Labour Party is only focused on itself and its bitter civil war.

“People aren’t interested in Wes Streeting or Angela Rayner’s latest auditions for Labour Party Celebrity Traitors – they want a government that is fully-focused on helping families with sky-high bills.”

He urged voters in Scotland to “punish the Labour Party Government and show Keir Starmer the door by voting SNP for action on the cost of living and a fresh start with independence”.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar demanded Sir Keir’s resignation in February, and has emphasised throughout the Holyrood election campaign that backing his party should not be viewed as support for the Prime Minister.

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