Andy Burnham has crossed the threshold of Labour MP nominations required to formally trigger a Labour leadership contest, according to three sources close to the matter, and intends to present the list to Keir Starmer to urge him to step down without a contest. “A contest isn’t in anyone’s interest and we’re hoping Keir will come to his senses,” one insider said. Nominations from 20 per cent of Labour MPs – 81 in this case – are needed to trigger a race under party rules.
The operation was organised in “cells”, with each organising MP responsible for a small number of colleagues, and only a few figures having sight of the whole spreadsheet. This is the same technique used to organise the “reasoned amendment” rebellion against the welfare cuts last summer. Conversations to bring MPs round will continue in the coming hours and days. Some are “80 per cent there” and are likely to be added to the spreadsheet after the Makerfield result, one insider said. Many more have pledged to support Burnham once a contest is already triggered.
“Andy Burnham has the nominations to trigger a Labour leadership challenge and plans to urge Starmer to step down without contest.”
It is not clear when Burnham and Starmer might speak in the coming days. A Burnham campaign source said they don’t know when Starmer will want to speak with Burnham, having suggested different timings at different points. The pair have had no direct contact during the campaign.