David Lammy described Keir Starmer as ‘the most resilient person I have ever met’ and said he will back him if there is a Labour leadership contest
Deputy PM David Lammy has said he would support Keir Starmer in a leadership race against Andy Burnham.
Mr Lammy said he would back his boss, who he described as “the most resilient person I have ever met in my life”. Mr Burnham confirmed last week that he would join a leadership race if he wins the Makerfield by-election on June 18.
Mr Starmer has insisted he will not walk away, and is ready to fight any challengers. Mr Lammy told Sky News: “I co-chaired Keir Starmer’s campaign to become leader of the Labour Party.
“He got a mandate from the British people less than two years ago. He is the most resilient person I have ever met in my life. He’s been absolutely clear – were there to be a contest – and you need 81 signatures to launch a contest – he will be part of that contest.
“I think it’s important that he’s able to serve out his mandate.” But asked whether he would urge Mr Burnham to avoid a contest, he said: “Andy Burnham doesn’t need advice from me. We speak pretty regularly. He doesn’t need advice.”
Mr Starmer has already vowed not to walk away from No10. He said on Friday that it would be wrong to plunge the country into an internal fight while the government is facing “the most dangerous and volatile world in our lifetimes”.
Last week Mr Burnham confirmed for the first time that he would join a leadership race if he is successful in returning to Parliament. In order to mount a challenge, an MP needs the backing of 81 colleagues.
Wes Streeting, who quit as Health Secretary last month, has already said he would stand in a contest. But the PM told LBC on Friday: “Well, I’ve said over and over again, I’m not going to walk away. We won an election victory in 2024 with a five year mandate.
“We’re only two years into that, and so I’m not going to walk away from that. I’m very clear about that. Andy has got a lot of talent, of course he has.”
He continued: “I’ve already said we live in the most dangerous and volatile world in our lifetimes, and that’s why I sincerely and profoundly believe that we should be getting on with the job that we’re elected to do in 2024 – which is taking the decisions that are priority decisions for our country, not plunging into an internal fight in the Labour Party, which will distract us from the job that we’re elected to do.”