(Adnkronos) – The British Prime Minister extends a hand to the Mayor of ‘Greater Manchester’, the very popular Labour figure Andy Burnham, who is ready to resign from the position he has held for two years, in case of an expected victory in tomorrow’s by-election in the Makerfield constituency, to return to the House of Commons, and challenge Starmer’s leadership of the party and thus the government. The Prime Minister has offered the prospective challenger a government post. Burnham is “an immense asset to our party and movement. I hope for his victory tomorrow and that he will play an important part in government. He has been a very successful mayor. When I started in politics, I joined his group and we worked closely together.”
Speaking on the sidelines of the G7, Starmer explained that he is against a challenge for the party leadership in view of the almost certain local elections, which could tentatively be held on Thursday, June 30, and in any case by August 6, to replace Burnham as mayor in a very competitive situation, much more competitive than what Burnham faced in 2023, where the less known and less popular party candidate, the chairman of Manchester City Council, Bev Craig, might face difficulties given the rise of Reform UK.
“The main and most important thing is that Andy Burnham wins. And that is why I have encouraged activists and party members to go to the constituency during the election campaign and tomorrow, to bring home the vote,” said Starmer, who is resisting the internal crisis, exacerbated by the recent resignation of Defense Minister John Healey. “Let’s think about what will happen if we have to face a by-election for the mayor of Manchester, one of the main by-elections we have ever had to fight, given its size? And it is really important to me that the entire party and the movement around the party focus on this, which is the most immediate task we have,” he added.”
“I don’t think there should be a challenge. I think history, and particularly the last government, shows that it is not a winning way for a government to behave (that of opening internal challenges, editor’s note),” added the Prime Minister, who nevertheless anticipated his intention not to shy away from confrontation, should Burnham, and other internal rivals, including former Health Minister Wes Streeting, formalize the start of the competition against Starmer, with the necessary support of 81 MPs, who have announced. “I will not shy away. I have always said it and I repeat it now.” Streeting, for his part, anticipated his intention to start the internal leadership battle next week, stating that it is necessary to put an end to “uncertainty and paralysis”
