Andy Burnham refused to rule out standing against Keir Starmer for leadership of the Labour Party, as rumours continue to grow about the future of the Prime Minister
Andy Burnham has refused to rule out challenging Sir Keir Starmer for the leadership of the Labour Party.
The mayor of Greater Manchester repeatedly deflected questions on the issue and said he was not in a position to rule out a move against the Prime Minister.
Burnham suggested on BBC Breakfast this type of question could be part of the problem with the culture in Westminster. It comes as Starmer faces growing discontent across the UK, with ‘nearly half’ of people wanting him out at the next election.
“I am not going to sit here this morning and rule out what might or might not happen because I don’t know what the future will hold,” Burnham said.
When pressed again on a potential leadership challenge, he added: “I am not in a position this morning to do that.
“The questions you are always asked on these things – how do you answer them?
“All I can do is be here, present in the here and now, and do my job for Greater Manchester.
“The country is crying out for a plan for growth that benefits people, reduces the cost of living.
“We have got more functional in Greater Manchester as the country has got more dysfunctional, and maybe it is that Westminster politics is the problem.”
Mr Burnham has also said he “appreciates the support” of Labour MP Clive Lewis.
The Norwich South MP said he would be willing to give up his parliamentary seat to allow Mr Burnham to mount a leadership challenge.
Mr Burnham has been touted as a possible successor to the PM, but would need to return to the Commons to launch a bid for the top job.
Government minister Josh MacAlister dismissed Mr Lewis’s offer.
He told LBC Radio: “The Labour Party is a broad church. It’s not going to surprise anybody to know that Clive is critical of the party’s leadership.”
He added that Mr Lewis’s Norwich South seat is “a long way away from Manchester”.
Mr Burnham’s office was contacted for comment.
According to a YouGov poll done for The Times, 23% of Labour votes think Starmer should save face and quit now.
Another 22% want him gone before the next election – with just 34% wanting him to stick around and lead the party into the next General Election.
However, a defiant Prime Minister said, just days after an apparent plot to oust him: “Let me be really clear – every minute that’s not spent talking about and dealing with the cost of living is a minute wasted of the political work of this Government.”