David Lammy Defends Keir Starmer After Andy Burnham Vows Leadership Challenge
Burnham said he would seek Labour’s leadership as a poll showed him 10 points ahead of Reform UK in Makerfield, Survation said.
- Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham confirmed on Thursday he would challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership if a contest is triggered, announcing his intention during a BBC Question Time special for the Makerfield by-election.
- Running in the Makerfield by-election triggered by Josh Simons' resignation, Burnham faces pressure to balance local needs with national leadership ambitions, stating a "fundamental change" is needed in Westminster to restore public trust.
- A Survation poll of 518 people released Thursday shows Burnham leading Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon with 49% of the vote against 39%, though Burnham noted he must persuade the Parliamentary Labour Party to support a contest.
- Downing Street immediately rejected the challenge, stating Starmer "will not walk away" from his mandate, as senior allies including Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy and Attorney General Lord Richard Hermer rowed behind the Prime Minister.
- While Starmer faces ongoing pressure from influential Labour figures, allies emphasize the leadership process has not been triggered, as Burnham continues his campaign balancing local politics with his conditional bid for party leadership.
29 Articles
29 Articles
Starmer draws battle lines after Burnham challenge vow - 'I'm not walking away'
Keir Starmer insisted he was going nowhere after Andy Burnham indicated he would challenge him if he becomes an MP, and accused the government of losing touch with working class people by overtaxing small businesses
Starmer can survive a leadership challenge, cabinet minister warns PM’s critics
Lord Hermer, the attorney general, said ‘no one has ever got rich betting against’ the Labour leader after Andy Burnham fired the starting gun on his campaign to become prime minister
Evening Standard
David Lammy defends Keir Starmer after Andy Burnham vows leadership challenge
The Deputy Prime Minister has become the latest among the PM’s allies senior allies to row behind him.
Let’s hope Andy Burnham avoids the curse of mayor Boris - Vladimir McTavish
Watching Question Time from Makerfield on Thursday night, the worst-kept secret in British politics is finally out there, namely that Andy Burnham is going to mount a challenge to Keir Stammer’s leadership, if he wins the by-election in the town in two weeks’ time.
Andy Burnahm wants to fight the British Prime Minister. He is popular with Labour members with whom Starmer has to fight. It's also about returning to the EU.
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