Starmer warns Labour after Burnham Makerfield win; vows ‘not to turn on each other’
UK prime minister Keir Starmer, the leader of the Labour Party, is responding to concerns about internal divisions after a political win associated with Andy Burnham in the Makerfield area.
Starmer is warning party members not to become divided or hostile toward each other following the result.
Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, won the by-election with 54.8% of the vote. In his victory speech, he framed the result as a “loud cry for change” and warned that Labour faced a “final chance to change.” His success has emboldened critics within the party who argue for a shift in direction.
Keir Starmer says Labour should “pull together” following Andy Burnham’s win in the Makerfield by-election.
In a call with Labour staff, the PM warns against “turning on each other and tearing apart our party and our movement”
Meanwhile, Andy Burnham says he wants to “lay out a new path for Britain” after his by-election victory opened the door for him to challenge the prime minister
Speaking to supporters in his new constituency, Burnham says Labour needs to “make life affordable” again – here’s more from his speech.
Starmer is currently facing immense pressure regarding his popularity ratings but he has confirmed that if a leadership contest is triggered, he “will run” and will not “walk away.”
The UK’s leader maintains that he has a clear mandate from the 2024 general election to deliver change.
The Prime Minister’s call for unity comes amid reports of a potential challenge from other senior Labour figures, including Wes Streeting.
Starmer’s allies have cautioned that internal “internecine warfare” and “own goals” risk handing political momentum to rivals like Reform UK.
As reported by BBC, allies of both Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting have no plans for either to make public appearances or give media interviews this weekend.
The Prime Minister has indicated he would be willing to offer Burnham a cabinet position, describing him as a “huge asset,” though allies of the Mayor have signaled he is unlikely to accept a role under the current administration.
The political situation remains highly volatile, with speculation mounting over whether Burnham’s allies or other challengers will secure the support of the 81 Labour MPs necessary to formally trigger a leadership contest.
