Starmer Insists He ‘Will Stand’ In Any Labour Leadership Contest

Keir Starmer has insisted he “will stand” in any Labour leadership contest triggered in the wake of the Makerfield by-election.

The prime minister’s future is looking more precarious than ever after his rival Andy Burnham was elected as an MP by a thumping majority of more than 9,000 overnight.

The soon-to-be-former Greater Manchester mayor is expected to challenge Starmer once he’s formally sworn into the House of Commons next week.

Asked if he would stand in any possible leadership election, Starmer said “there isn’t one at the moment” and that holding one would send “the country into chaos”.

But he added: “If there is a contest, then yes I will run, I will stand, and I’ve said repeatedly I’m not going to walk away from that.”

His remarks will dash hopes among mutinous Labour MPs that the prime minister would set out a timetable for his departure from office in the wake of Burnham’s win.

His words could also encourage disillusioned cabinet ministers to resign and force Starmer’s hand, as he cannot govern effectively without their support.

The PM told reporters he has not yet spoken to Burnham directly, but that he intends to.

He welcomed Labour’s “very good victory” after his rival secured 55% of the vote in the constituency.

Starmer also claimed that the by-election was a “real battle of Labour values against divisive Reform values”.

The by-election was triggered last month by ex-Labour MP Josh Simons who stepped aside after the party’s disastrous results in the local elections to give Burnham a route back to Westminster.

Party rules state a Labour leader can only be challenged by an MP who has the support of at least 81 fellow Labour MPs – 20% of the parliamentary Labour party – in the Commons.

If a contest is triggered, the party leader’s name is automatically put on the ballot.

Labour Party and affiliate members then vote via a postal ballot and candidates are ranked in order of preference.

The winner needs to secure at least 50% of the vote.

Burnham’s ambitions for No.10 have been widely known for some time, and he is thought to already have the backing needed to contest Starmer.

He ran on a promise to introduce change for the country in the by-election, asking Makerfield voters to “vote Andy” rather than “vote Labour”.

In his victory speech, Burnham said he wants to “lay out a new path for Britain”, saying Labour has to do something to “make life affordable” again.

YouGov polls of Labour members suggest Burnham would comfortably beat Starmer in a contest.

Many were hoping the prime minister would quietly resign so that Burnham could get the keys to No.10 without causing further division in the party.

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