Keir Starmer has stated he will contest any Labour leadership race triggered by Andy Burnham's emphatic victory in the Makerfield byelection, insisting he will not "walk away". The prime minister warned that such a contest would "plunge us into chaos" and urged the party to "pull together" ahead of the upcoming Greater Manchester mayoral byelection to replace Burnham.
Starmer's Defiant Stance
Speaking at an event in north London, Starmer told reporters: "If there is a contest, just to be clear with you, then, yes, I will run." Despite his determination to face any challenges, Burnham's commanding 55% vote share in Makerfield has intensified calls for Starmer to reconsider his position.
Burnham's Victory Speech
In his victory address, Burnham described the result as "a turning point", claiming voters had "voted for change. They have voted for more power for the north and everywhere forgotten by Westminster." At a subsequent rally, he effectively outlined a governing agenda, stating: "The word Makerfield in the future must be known as a byword for the change that came to British politics." He added: "I think we need in this country right now for people to feel a sense of hope that there is something better to work towards on the horizon."
Calls for Starmer's Exit
Louise Haigh, the former transport secretary who helped lead Burnham's campaign, urged Starmer to avoid a "brutal and unpleasant" leadership contest and set a timeline for his departure. Speaking after Burnham's rally, she revealed a plan was "ready to go" if Starmer refused to step down in the coming days. She added: "I hope the prime minister takes the weekend to really reflect on the result here, listen to soundings from the cabinet and from the PLP because all the evidence suggests that contest would be brutal and unpleasant and it would be very unlikely that the prime minister would win at the end of it."
Patrick Hurley, Labour MP for Southport, told the Guardian he took "no pleasure" in calling for Starmer's departure, praising him as a "monumental figure" for winning the 2024 election. However, he argued it was time for new leadership: "We'd almost forgotten what it felt like to have hope and optimism to win an election – that's been in short supply over the last 18 months."
Potential Leadership Contest
Some Burnham supporters had hoped Starmer might opt out of a leadership race, with allies of the outgoing mayor suggesting he wanted to negotiate a handover timetable with Starmer next week. However, Starmer's indication that he will not allow a coronation for Burnham could prolong the contest, potentially drawing other candidates. As the sitting Labour leader, Starmer will automatically appear on the ballot if he participates.
The prime minister was understood to have spoken to cabinet allies on Friday morning to shore up his position. He also addressed Labour staff nationwide, urging unity: "Pull together as a party and avoid turning on each other and tearing apart our party and our movement."
Starmer's Mandate Argument
Challenging Burnham's ambitions, Starmer emphasised his "mandate two years ago" from the July 2024 general election, where he secured a landslide majority. "In relation to what happens next, obviously, we had a mandate two years ago to carry out change and we've done incredible things … There's more to do and that's what I'm focused on. It is what I was elected to do, which is to serve my country."
Starmer's strategy appears to involve placing obstacles in Burnham's path, including suggesting that the Greater Manchester mayoral election to replace him should occur first.
Pressure from Makerfield Result
The unexpectedly large majority in Makerfield against Reform UK has intensified pressure on Starmer to consider stepping aside. He has already offered Burnham a top job, which Burnham has rejected. Starmer said on Friday morning he had not yet spoken to Burnham but would do so and had sent his congratulations.
Starmer framed the Makerfield win as evidence Labour was gaining ground against Reform, rather than a personal victory for Burnham. "I think it's further evidence, actually, if you look at it in the context of other byelections, that the tide is turning on Reform, that they can't now win byelections," he said. "They've reached probably the peak of their support; it is going down. So, very good, congratulations to Andy Burnham, but actually the tide is turning on Reform as well, so this is really important in that respect."
Harman's Proposal
Harriet Harman, former deputy leader and now Starmer's adviser on women and girls, suggested Labour MPs should oversee a contest rather than the entire party membership. She proposed that MPs vote on "who they want as prime minister", telling BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The way you get to be prime minister and the way you govern the country is by having the support of the majority of the party in parliament. So, whoever's prime minister has to have the support of Labour MPs, and I think what should happen is that the three contenders – which is obviously Keir Starmer, who's the prime minister; Andy Burnham, who's the challenger; and Wes Streeting, who's also a challenger – should be got in a room by the deputy leader of the Labour party, Lucy Powell, and the chair of the parliamentary Labour party, Jess Morden, to agree a process whereby the Labour MPs choose who they want." She added: "There must be a woman in the contest as we cannot have a male beauty parade again."
