Prime Minister Keir Starmer has offered Andy Burnham a 'big role' in government in a bid to stave off a potential leadership contest. Starmer made the offer during a Sky News interview, acknowledging he would speak to Burnham after the upcoming Makerfield byelection. The move comes as senior Labour figures, including former health secretary Wes Streeting, have threatened to launch a leadership bid unless Starmer sets a departure timetable.
The proposal highlights deepening fractures within the Labour Party. Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, has reportedly been planning to urge Starmer to set a timeline for stepping down. This internal pressure follows a pattern of strained relationships, as Starmer's connection with Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has also reportedly soured, with Miliband accused of 'ghosting' the prime minister over defense spending disputes.
According to a Times report by Patrick Maguire and Steven Swinford, Miliband has declined Starmer's calls during a tense stand-off on defense spending. Senior government sources confirmed the breakdown, though Miliband's office has not commented. The Makerfield byelection, expected to test Labour's support, could amplify calls for a leadership change.
The outcome of Burnham's meeting with Starmer after the weekend may determine whether the leadership threat materializes. Starmer's offer of a senior role could placate Burnham but risks alienating other factions. The situation underscores the fragility of Labour's unity as the party navigates internal dissent alongside external political challenges.
Critics argue that Starmer's overture is a temporary fix rather than a resolution to broader discontent within Labour. Some party members express concern that such negotiations distract from critical policy issues, including defense and public services.