Housing Minister Steve Reed staunchly supports Prime Minister Keir Starmer, declaring him ‘fine’ and committed to his duties during a tour of TV and radio studios. This defense comes as Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham positions himself for a potential Labour leadership contest following a turbulent week.
Burnham Targets Makerfield By-Election
Andy Burnham confirmed Thursday evening his plan to return to Westminster by running in the Makerfield by-election. Labour MP Josh Simons stepped aside, enabling Burnham’s candidacy in the seat. Burnham aims to ‘make politics work properly for people’ and drive needed change.
The Prime Minister does not oppose Burnham’s bid, pending approval from Labour’s National Executive Committee next week.
Challenges in Reform UK Stronghold
Makerfield poses a significant hurdle for Burnham. Reform UK dominated all eight wards in recent local elections and leads Labour by 13 points in current Britain Predicts polling. Nigel Farage vows to commit full resources to the race, marking it as the most pivotal by-election in decades.
The constituency has elected Labour MPs since 1983, though Conservatives nearly captured it in 2019 with a 5,000-vote margin.
Labour Figures Weigh In
Stroud MP Simon Opher, a Burnham supporter, described Makerfield as a ‘tough ask’ but stated on BBC Radio 4’s Today Programme: ‘He could win the next election for Labour.’
Reed acknowledged Starmer’s low popularity on Sky News, attributing it to public frustration with services and the economy. He cautioned against rapid leadership changes, saying: ‘What happens when you’re the leader of the Government at a time when the public are so angry with the state of our public services and the economy, is it focuses down on that individual. So we can either copy the Tories, they doom scrolled through leader after leader… It didn’t help them one jot. What we need to do is all of us come together behind the Prime Minister.’
Recent developments include Wes Streeting’s resignation as Health Secretary, with Angela Rayner and Ed Miliband as potential challengers.
Opposition and Market Reactions
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch criticized Labour’s internal strife: ‘The Labour Party has now descended into civil war. And while they’re sharpening their knives and plotting in the bars of Westminster, nobody is running the country.’
The pound sterling dropped to its lowest in a month, below $1.34, amid speculation of a leftward policy shift. A Whitehall source indicated civil servants may pause work until leadership clarity emerges.
