Labour leader Keir Starmer signals a senior government role for Andy Burnham if he wins the Makerfield by‑election, while internal pressure mounts from Ed Miliband, Wes Streeting and a looming mayoral contest.
Labour leader Keir Starmer is reportedly preparing a political overture to Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham as the party braces for a crucial by‑election in Makerfield.
In a series of remarks made during the G7 summit in France, Starmer praised Burnham as a "fantastic asset" and hinted that, should the Labour candidate win the Makerfield seat tomorrow, Burnham could be offered a senior cabinet post. The suggestion appears designed to secure Burnham's loyalty and to stave off a possible leadership challenge that has been simmering within the party's ranks. Starmer's comments came as the internal dynamics of Labour grew increasingly turbulent.
Sources close to the party say that former leader Ed Miliband is allegedly positioning himself for a rapid exit, possibly resigning within days to force Starred out if he does not step aside voluntarily. Miliband, who currently serves as the secretary for Net Zero, is rumored to be eyeing the chancellor's brief in a future Burnham‑led government.
This speculation has been fuelled by a recent breakdown in communication between Miliband and the prime minister, who reportedly left several messages unanswered as the party wrestles with a defence‑funding shortfall and a contentious proposal to relax the 2030 electric‑vehicle sales target. The potential alliance between Burnham and Starmer could reshape Labour's strategic focus.
Burnham, who is expected to re‑enter the House of Commons if he secures the Makerfield seat, is also likely to contest the upcoming Greater Manchester mayoral election. Starmer warned that the party's immediate priority will shift to that mayoral race, describing it as a "huge by‑election" for the north‑west.
Meanwhile, senior Labour figure Wes Streeting has publicly declared that he will launch a formal leadership challenge if Starmer does not resign by the start of the following week. The mounting pressure on Starmer is underscored by growing dissent over his handling of the party's net‑zero budget, his reluctance to slash spending for the armed forces, and his decision to ease the electric‑car sales mandate, moves that have angered the party's environmental wing.
In interviews with Sky News and Channel 4, Starmer repeatedly emphasized his longstanding relationship with Burnham, noting that he first joined politics in 2015 by working with Burnham's team. He stressed that Burnham's experience as mayor makes him "a huge asset" for both Labour and the country, and reiterated his intention to discuss a cabinet role with Burnham after the by‑election concludes.
If Burnham wins, Starmer envisions him taking on a prominent governmental portfolio, which could help consolidate party unity ahead of the looming internal contests. The internal drama unfolds against the backdrop of the G7 summit, where Starmer is representing the United Kingdom while attempting to manage party discord from abroad.
Analysts suggest that the outcome of the Makerfield by‑election and the subsequent Manchester mayoral contest will be pivotal in determining whether Starmer can retain the leadership or if a new figure, possibly Burnham or a coalition of his allies, will take the helm. The next few weeks promise intense political manoeuvring as Labour seeks to present a united front ahead of the national election cycle
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