Andy Burnham’s day of destiny in Makerfield could also be Keir Starmer’s last. The former Greater Manchester mayor is seeking to return to parliament this week in what is seen as a likely bid to challenge the prime minister’s leadership – a prospect Starmer appears to be meeting with characteristic denial.
In a Sky News interview at the G7 summit in Évian, Starmer graciously offered Burnham a “big role in government” if, as expected, he wins Thursday’s byelection. According to Guardian sketch writer John Crace, the prime minister has “a strong line in denial” and insisted he could give Burnham the job of secretary of state for communities, housing and local government – sacking Steve Reed in the process.
“Andy Burnham's expected Makerfield byelection win could trigger a Labour leadership challenge to Keir Starmer.”
But Burnham’s eyes are on a different role. “Unfortunately for Starmer, the role he has in mind is the prime minister’s,” Crace noted. The byelection results, Guardian journalist Sarah Ann Harris has reported, could have a national impact – potentially deciding the UK’s next prime minister.
Labour MPs and members have “overwhelmingly decided they need a better communicator”, Crace wrote – and the only candidate available is Burnham. Starmer, described by Crace as “fundamentally a decent man” who inherited a poisoned Tory legacy, is not going down quietly. He says he will contest any leadership battle. “I’m a fighter, not a quitter,” he told Sky News, before laughing awkwardly – perhaps remembering that Liz Truss had said much the same thing before falling on her sword.
Given the choice between leaving with dignity or fighting on, Starmer insists he will fight. But Crace suggested he may yet change his mind: “Come the weekend, he may have decided it wouldn’t be in his or the party’s interest to fight an election he was bound to lose.” For now, though, denial holds. Acceptance remains a step too far.