Over 100 Labour MPs demand Starmer’s resignation after Burnham’s by-election landslide and leadership threat

By-election landslide

Andy Burnham, the former mayor of Greater Manchester, won the Makerfield by-election on Thursday with 54.8% of the vote, securing a parliamentary seat. He received nearly 25,000 votes, more than all other candidates combined, and finished over twenty points ahead of the Reform UK candidate. The victory was described as one of the most significant by-elections in recent British history. Burnham told supporters it was a 'last chance' for Labour to change course.

Leadership challenge brewing

Burnham has declared his intention to challenge Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership. To activate a formal primary contest, he needs the backing of at least 81 Labour MPs (20% of the party’s parliamentary seats), and Sky News reports that he already has that support. More than 100 Labour MPs have publicly called for Starmer to resign, according to Sky News. A previous leadership challenge led by former Health Secretary Wes Streeting on Wednesday was rejected by Starmer.

“This is the last chance for the Labour Party to change, and we are going to seize it. The result has opened the possibility that we can move forward together towards that future. There will be a new path for the United Kingdom.”

Cabinet pressure

Several cabinet ministers have privately urged Starmer to step down. According to the BBC, The Times, and the Financial Times, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander was the first to express that view, followed by Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. The Times also reported that several ministers are prepared to resign en masse if Starmer does not stand aside. The Prime Minister spent Friday holding meetings and calls with cabinet members in an attempt to defend his leadership.

Starmer’s response

Starmer is currently at Chequers, his country residence, weighing his options. He has publicly rejected calls to resign and warned that a leadership contest would cause chaos. However, he said he would compete if one is triggered.

“I was elected to serve my country with a clear mandate for change in the general election two years ago, and I am delivering on that mandate. Right now nobody has activated the leadership challenge mechanism, but I have said many times that I don’t think it’s a good idea, because it will plunge the country into chaos. But if it is activated, of course I will compete. I will not run away from my responsibilities as Prime Minister.”