Keir Starmer faces a potential leadership challenge next week if he does not set a timetable for his departure after the Makerfield byelection. Wes Streeting has publicly stated his intention to launch a leadership bid, emphasizing the need for clarity.
Key points
Keir Starmer is at the G7 summit in France.
Wes Streeting has announced plans for a leadership bid.
Starmer may face a leadership challenge next week.
Streeting demands a timetable for Starmer's departure.
The Makerfield byelection is a pivotal moment for Starmer.
Mentioned in this story
Keir StarmerWes StreetingAndy Burnham
Good morning. Keir Starmer is still in France for the G7 summit but – as Margaret Thatcher discovered on a trip to Paris in November 1990 – acting as a statesman on the world stage does not protect a PM from a leadership challenge at home and, on that front, there has been a small development overnight; Starmer is now being told explicitly he will face a leadership challenge next week if he does not agree a timetable to stand down after the Makerfield byelection tomorrow.
This has always been implicit, but last night Wes Streeting, the former health secretary who wants to launch a leadership bid, said it out loud.
Streeting was doing media all day after giving a speech on his economic vision (which he calls progressive capitalism). Asked about the leadership at his speech event in the morning, he stressed that he wanted Starmer to set a timetable for his departure. By the time he came to speak to broadcasters in the evening, he was more explicit.
In an interview with Cathy Newman for on her Sky News show, asked what he would do if Starmer did not agree voluntarily to set a timetable for his departure, Streeting replied:
double quotation markWe can’t go on with this uncertainty. I think we will inevitably end up in a contest.
When Newman asked if he meant next week, Streeting replied:
double quotation markI’ve given you my answer.
Newman pressed him again. “Next week the prime minister, you expect, will face a challenge?” And Streeting replied: “Yeah.”
A bit later, being interviewed by Victoria Derbyshireon Newsnight, Streeting gave a very similar answer. Asked about the timing of a challenge, Streeting said he was “not going get into, ‘is it Monday, is it Tuesday?’” But when asked if he meant “in the not too distant future”, replied: “We can’t go on with this.”
Q&A
What did Keir Starmer say about Andy Burnham's role in government?
Keir Starmer expressed a desire to offer Andy Burnham a 'big role' in government to avoid a leadership contest.
Who is Wes Streeting and what is his stance on Starmer's leadership?
Wes Streeting is a former health secretary who has indicated he will challenge Starmer for leadership if he does not set a timetable for his departure.
What is the significance of the Makerfield byelection for Starmer?
The Makerfield byelection is crucial for Starmer as it may trigger a leadership challenge if he fails to outline his future plans afterward.
What did Streeting say about the uncertainty surrounding Starmer's leadership?
Streeting stated that the current uncertainty cannot continue and suggested that it would likely lead to a leadership contest.
This morning Starmer has responded. In an interview with Sky News, he said that he would offer Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor who is expected to win the Makerfield byelection tomorrow, a cabinet job. Burnham, of course, not Streeting, is the real threat to the PM, because he is the person with most support from Labour MPs, and Labour members, to replace Starmer.
Starmer told Sky’s Beth Rigby: “Yes, I want him to have a big role in government”.
He went on:
double quotation markWell, I’m sure I’ll talk to Andy after the weekend, of course I will. I’ve spoken to him many times in recent weeks. And when I came into politics in 2015, it was Andy Burnham’s team that I joined, and we worked very well together.
He’s a huge asset, he’s been a fantastic mayor in Manchester and if he comes back into parliament – I hope he wins in the byelection – he’ll be a fantastic asset for our party and for the country.
This offer is almost certainly too late. Burnham does want “a big role in government”, but it is the one that Starmer is doing himself.
Here is the agenda for the day.
Morning:Keir Starmer is doing interviews with UK journalists at the G7 summit, which should start running on air and online throught the morning.
9.15am: Heidi Alexander, the transport secretary, gives evidence to the Commons transport committee.
9.30am: Pat McFadden, the work and pensions secretary, gives evidence to the Commons work and pensions committee.
9.45am: Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, gives evidence to the Commons education committee.
Noon:David Lammy, the deputy PM, takes PMQs on behalf of Starmer. The Tories have not yet said who will stand in for Kemi Badenoch.
Afternoon: Ed Davey, the Lib Dem leader, gives a speech to a European Movement conference where he will call for the UK to rejoin the single market. Richard Hermer, the attorney general, is also giving a speech to the conference.
5pm:Andy Burnham is due to give a speech to his supporters in Makerfield on the eve of tomorrow’s byelection.
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