Category Archives: andy burnham

‘Thank You, Dear Keir’: Reaction To Starmer’s Resignation Rolls In

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Keir Starmer’s decision to stand down was hardly a surprise, but politicians across the political spectrum – and around the world – have rallied to pay tribute to the outgoing prime minister.

The PM declared he was standing down as Labour leader on Monday and set out a timetable for his official departure from No.10.

In an emotional speech, he said he was leaving in “good grace” after accepting that the Parliamentary Labour Party did not want him to lead them into the next general election.

It comes after his greatest rival Andy Burnham won the Makerfield by-election last Friday.

As Labour’s most popular politician, the former Greater Manchester mayor was already expected to challenge the prime minister and win any subsequent leadership contest.

Here’s how Starmer’s Labour colleagues, international allies and domestic opponents responded to his resignation.

Labour Party

Burnham, who has already thrown his hat into the ring to be Starmer’s successor, said: “Keir has given huge service to our country and I want to thank him for his leadership and dedication during such a challenging period.

“His decision marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way.”

Former health secretary Wes Streeting, who was briefly considered a leadership hopeful, said he backed Burnham as Streeting’s replacement and added that Starmer “has made the right decision to stand down as Leader of the Labour Party that he saved”.

Starmer’s cabinet also paid tribute to him, with deputy prime minister David Lammy saying he “incredibly proud to have played my part” in Starmer’s government.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves praised Starmer for “taking our party from the worst defeat in modern history” to a landslide victory in just four years.

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood said Starmer’s achievements “will never be forgotten” and that he put us “on the path to the change we promised at the last election”.

She added: “A devoted and dedicated public servant, we owe him our deepest thanks.”

Foreign secretary Yvette Cooper echoed this sentiment, saying the country is stronger and fairer “because of what Keir has done over the last six years”.

Former deputy PM Angela Rayner extended her sympathies to Starmer, saying: “History will remember not just the challenges he faced but the achievements he oversaw.”

Energy secretary Ed Miliband said Starmer can be “immensely proud of his achievement” and that his statement showed “great dignity and integrity”.

One of Starmer’s closest allies, the attorney general Lord Hermer, told Sky News that the PM was not “angry” at being forced out of office.

He said: “I would be, but I don’t think he is.

“I think he is someone who is genuinely focused on the country and doing the right thing, and you saw that on the podium today.”

Anna Turley, chair of the Labour Party, wrote in a statement: “I’m sorry that the nature of politics now is so impatient, so unforgiving, and so personally brutal.

“You have shown that in a world of easy promises, irresponsible rhetoric and lazy, dangerous populism, it is still possible to do things the right way – to show duty, decency and the real patriotism of hard work and service.”

Opposition Parties

Leader of the opposition, the Tories’ Kemi Badenoch, was less forgiving.

She wrote on X: “Britain is not ungovernable. Keir Starmer is a terrible Prime Minister.

“But the problem isn’t just Starmer. Labour MPs only want higher taxes to hand out more benefits, as the Welfare Secretary has pointed out. These are Labour’s choices and their values, regardless of who is running the party.”

The Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said: “The British people are sick of being let down by an endless merry-go-round of prime ministers while nothing really changes for them.

“This time must be different. It can’t just be about changing who’s in Number 10, it has to be about changing our broken politics so we can fix our country.”

He added: “Whoever becomes prime minister needs to drop the caution and complacency and show the ambition our country deserves.”

Green Party leader Zack Polanski said: “The country needs a bold change of direction. Starmer lost the confidence of the country because of his abject failure to challenge the power and wealth of an establishment which has taken for themselves while leaving the vast majority in a cost of living crisis and facing the worst impacts of the climate and nature crisis.”

“We are still waiting to see which version of Andy Burnham might going to show up in Downing Street,” he added. “Burnham must be bold or he will be bust.”

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called for a general election, writing on X: “I’ve had enough of waiting around. Britain needs change – real change, not another washed-up has-been shoved into place by the uniparty.

“If Labour thinks it can shove another professional politician into No 10, it has another thing coming. Reform is ready for an election, and we are ready to deliver radical change.”

SNP leader and Scotland’s first minister John Swinney paid tribute to Starmer in a statement, saying: “On a personal level, I wish the prime minister and his family well.

“Leadership is tough, and can make extraordinary demands both on the leader and their families. Sir Keir Starmer has made the right decision. It was past time for him to face reality and the fact he now has allows some hope that things can change.”

International Allies

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Starmer on on X, writing: “The United Kingdom has been, is, and will remain among the world’s leaders.

“Here in Ukraine, we deeply value Britain, and every meeting and every conversation we have had has always been filled with real substance.

“Thank you for always being in touch, always engaged, and always striving to do what is needed and what will truly help.”

He added: “Keir, you are always a welcome guest in Ukraine.”

European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, thanked Starmer for his work on rebuilding the UK’s relationship with the EU.

She said: “It can take many leaders years to grow into the statesman you became in just two years.

“European and Ukrainian security is stronger because of you. Thank you, dear Keir.”

Former Czech prime minister Petr Fiala paid tribute to Starmer for his “clear and principled support for Ukraine”, and helped to unlock new levels of UK-EU cooperation.

He added: “Today, rational and decent politicians face an increasingly difficult environment. Starmer moved the Labour Party towards the political centre and strengthened the United Kingdom’s position abroad. In the end, it was not enough.

Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement that he considers Starmer “a friend” and notes “politics can also be a harsh business”.

He added: “When the time comes for Keir to leave Downing Street, he can be proud of the contribution he has made to the country he loves and to the Labour party that he led back to government in 2024.”

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

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Laura Kuenssberg Skewers Top Tory Over Humiliating By-Election Result

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Laura Kuenssberg put a top Conservative under the microscope on Sunday with a brutal reminder of just how poorly the party did in the Makerfield by-election.

Labour’s Andy Burnham secured the north-west seat on Thursday with 54.8% of the vote while Reform UK’s Rob Kenyon came in second, with 34.5%.

The rising far-right group Restore Britain secured 6.8%, equal to 3,111 votes while the Conservatives’ Michael Winstanley came in fourth with just 997 votes – 2.2% of the vote share.

That means the official opposition lost their £500 deposit, as they secured less than 5% of the vote.

On her BBC show, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, the presenter asked shadow chancellor Mel Stride to defend the shocking performance.

But the Conservative MP deflected by talking about the Aberdeen South by-election result, where the Tories took a seat from the SNP last Thursday.

“First win in a by-election in Scotland since 1967,” he said. “It shows what good, clear, policy offering can deliver.”

He continued: “In Makerfield, that has been a Labour stronghold for about 100, 120, years. I think the big story was actually the weakness of Reform in the face of that challenge…”

“But in 2019, you got 34% of the vote in Makerfield,” Kuenssberg reminded him. “This time you got 2%.

“In those kinds of parts of the country, that suggests you’ve gone way back.

“A leader like Boris Johnson had a hope in those in kind of constituencies.

“Under Kemi Badenoch, it doesn’t seem like you do.”

He replied: “In 2019, we swept away a number of red wall seats and that was not one of them. That has been historically Labour and solidly Labour for a very long time.”

“So it’s OK that you got 997 voters, then?” Kuenssberg said.

But Stride replied by once again referring to Reform UK’s performance, insisting they were coming down in the polls.

“They’re not surging [in popularity] the way they were last year, but you don’t look competitive yet,” she replied.

Nigel Farage’s party has long tried to position itself as the real opposition to the government by displacing the Conservatives.

But Reform UK struggled to compete against Burnham in Makerfield, making it the third straight by-election loss for the party after separate contests in Gorton and Denton, and Caerphilly.

Listen to Commons People, the podcast that makes politics easy. Every week, Kevin Schofield and Kate Nicholson unpack the week’s biggest stories to keep you informed. Join us for straightforward analysis of what’s going on at Westminster.

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Reform Accused Of ‘Dragging Politics Into Gutter’ After Councillor Posts Fake Makerfield Poll

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Reform UK have been accused of “dragging politics into the gutter” after one of the party’s councillors posted a fake opinion poll about the Makerfield by-election.

Sarah Mason claimed Reform and Labour are neck-and-neck on 44% each just over a week out from polling day on June 18.

The councillor's now-deleted tweet.
The councillor’s now-deleted tweet.

She later posted on X: “I thought I’d join in with the made-up polls.”

Mason admitted she had made up the poll.
Mason admitted she had made up the poll.

Mason, who is a councillor in Scarborough, has now deleted her original post after an online backlash.

According to the most recent poll in the seat, Labour’s Andy Burnham is 10 points ahead of Reform’s Robert Kenyon.

Reform’s campaign has been dogged by revelations about Kenyon’s social media history.

It emerged he had shared a series of sexist, anti-vaccine, anti-abortion and pro-Russia comments online over the years – including lewd remarks about presenter Carol Vorderman and confusing statements about whether he even voted for Brexit himself.

A Labour spokesperson said: “Reform are dragging politics into the gutter.

“They’re stooping to new lows online because they know Robert Kenyon isn’t fit to be an MP – yet they won’t admit it.

“Instead of spreading misinformation online they should be forcing their candidate to apologise to the public for the vile comments he’s made about women and disgusting false narratives he’s peddled over the Manchester Arena bombing.

“While Reform continues to be mired in scandal and they reach for desperate underhand tactics, Labour’s Andy Burnham is determined to deliver the investment and fairer future all communities across Makerfield deserve.”

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Streeting Throws Down Brexit Gauntlet To Burnham As Rivals Vie To Replace Starmer

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Wes Streeting vowed that the UK will one day rejoin the European Union as Labour Brexit splits burst into the open again.

The former health secretary, who quit the cabinet last week in protest at Keir Starmer’s leadership, said the decision to quit the EU had been a “catastrophic mistake”.

He told an event run by the centre-left thing-tank Progress: “The biggest economic opportunity we have is on our doorstep.

“We need a new special relationship with the EU, because Britain’s future lies with Europe – and one day back in the European Union.”

His comments are potentially awkward for Andy Burnham, who he could face in a battle for the Labour leadership within weeks.

Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has said in the past that he wants to rejoin the EU.

However, he is set to be Labour’s candidate in the upcoming by-election in Makerfield, where the majority of voters backed Brexit in the 2016 referendum.

Asked by ITV on Saturday whether he was still in favour of rejoining the EU, Burnham dodged the question.

He said: “I’ve said in the long term there is a case for that, but I’m not advocating that in this by-election.

“In fact, what I am saying is focus now domestically, Britain has got to focus very much on the here and now and the issues that are affecting people.”

Tory chairman Kevin Hollinrake said: “Whilst Labour relitigate Brexit, Britain is not being governed.

“This is yet another distraction from the day job at a time when families and businesses want the Government focused on the cost of living, the economy, public services and Britain’s defence.”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey meanwhile said Mr Streeting must “offer something more than the same failed red lines as Keir Starmer” if he is to succeed the Prime Minister, and called for negotiations on a customs union with the EU to be opened.

Starmer has said he wants to see much closer ties with Europe, but insisted Labour will stick to its manifesto red lines of not rejoining the EU single market and customs union, or bringing back freedom of movement.

Culture secretary Lisa Nandy slapped down Streeting over his comments.

She told Sky News: “If rejoining the EU is the answer to what we were just told loud and clear by the country and parts of the country like mine, where we lost 25 out of 25 wards, 24 of them to Reform.

“If rejoining the EU is the answer, then essentially what we’re saying to people is life was fine in 2015, we just need to go back there. I know Wes is coming up to campaign in the by-election quite soon.

“He will hear loud and clear from people in places like Wigan, Ashton, Winstanley, across Makerfield, that that is absolutely not the case.”

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‘He Has The Numbers’: Wes Streeting Allies Insist He Will Run In Labour Leadership Contest

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Wes Streeting will definitely run in the upcoming Labour leadership contest, his allies have told HuffPost UK.

It is the first confirmation that he plans to mount a bid to replace Keir Starmer as prime minister.

Supporters of Starmer have claimed that the former health secretary – who resigned with a ferocious attack on the prime minister yesterday – does not have enough support from Labour MPs to mount a challenge.

Under Labour Party rules, any candidate must have the support of at least 20% of its MPs to make it onto the ballot paper. At the moment, that is 81 MPs.

Starmer allies have claimed that Streeting currently only has 43 names, leaving him well short of the number required.

They said that was why he did not formally trigger a contest when he quit the cabinet, as had been expected.

But a source close to Streeting told HuffPost UK: “He has the numbers and will be a candidate when there’s a contest.”

In his resignation letter, Streeting stopped short of saying he would challenge the PM.

But he said: “It is now clear that you will not lead the Labour Party into the next general election and that Labour MPs and Labour unions want the debate about what comes next to be a battle of ideas, not of personalities or petty factionalism.

“It needs to be broad, and it needs the best possible field of candidates. I support that approach and I hope that you will facilitate this.”

A leadership contest appears inevitable, despite Starmer insisting he “won’t walk away” from No.10.

Cabinet ministers, including home secretary Shabana Mahmood and foreign secretary Yvette Cooper, have personally told the PM to set out a timetable for his departure.

More than 90 Labour MPs have so far publicly called on him to quit, while four junior ministers have also resigned from the government.

Andy Burnham kicked off his own attempt to be the next PM when it was announced that Labour MP Josh Simons is standing down to let the Greater Manchester mayor stand in his Makerfield seat.

Labour’s ruling national executive committee (NEC) is not expected to block Burnham’s bid to be the party’s candidate in the resulting by-election.

However, he faces a huge challenge to see off Reform UK and be elected the new MP for the constituency.

If Burnham wins, he is expected to immediately challenge Starmer, triggering a full leadership contest.

Others who could throw their hats into the ring include former deputy PM Angela Rayner, defence secretary John Healey, energy secretary Ed Miliband, Mahmood, Cooper and junior defence minister Al Carns

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Exclusive: Former Labour Minister Calls For Andy Burnham To Replace Keir Starmer

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A former Labour minister has called for Andy Burnham to replace Keir Starmer as prime minister.

Lord Dave Watts said the party should allow the Greater Manchester mayor to return to Westminster in a by-election, which would then pave the way for a leadership challenge.

Watts was a government whip under Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, and also chair of the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) from 2012 until 2015.

His intervention came as Labour braced for a catastrophic set of results in elections across England and in Scotland and Wales.

The party is on course to lose more than 1,000 English councillors, and be resoundingly defeated in the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senedd.

Writing for HuffPost UK, Lord Watts said: “The leadership question must be confronted head-on and without further delay.

“Does Keir Starmer possess the qualities required to steer the country through these turbulent times and reconnect with a disillusioned electorate? On the evidence of Thursday’s results, the answer is no.

“It’s clear we need a change, and many MPs and Labour voters are looking to the most successful and popular Labour politician, Andy Burnham, to provide that change.

“I believe that Andy should be allowed to stand in a by-election to boost Labour’s prospects and to provide the leadership needed.

“This is not a discussion that can be kicked into the long grass. Ministers need clear direction and the confidence that the prime minister is fully behind the bold changes necessary to regain public support.”

A senior Labour source said: “Dave Watts is not a usual suspect. He has always been a leadership loyalist.

“But he was the elected chair of the PLP for many years, and he’s right about Starmer. I think he is saying out loud what many in the PLP are thinking and whispering quietly to each other.

“These voices are only going to get louder. And no amount of Comical Ali spin from No.10 can change that.”

Starmer insisted on Friday morning that he took responsibility for Labour’s terrible performance, but insisted he will not “walk away” from Downing Street.

Burnham was a Labour MP from 2001 until 2017, but has made no secret of his desire to return to Westminster.

He tried to be Labour’s candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election, but was blocked from standing by the party’s ruling national executive committee under orders from the PM.

However, speculation is mounting that a Labour MP is ready to trigger a by-election to allow Burnham to mount another comeback attempt.

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Andy Burnham ‘Disappointed And Concerned’ By Move To Block His Bid To Stand As Labour MP

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Andy Burnham has said he is “disappointed” by the decision to block him from standing as a Labour candidate in the upcoming by-election and “concerned” about the repercussions.

The mayor of Greater Manchester threw his hat into the ring for the Gorton and Denton by-election on Saturday after Andrew Gwynne stepped down.

But, as the directly elected mayor, Burnham – who served in the cabinet under Gordon Brown – had to seek approval from the National Executive Committee (NEC) to be considered as a Labour candidate.

Eight of its 10 members voted against allowing him to stand, with only one member voting in favour of letting him run and one abstaining.

The prime minister was among those who voted to stop Burnham’s bid to return to Westminster.

Burnham is often seen as a challenger to Keir Starmer and allies feared that his presence in Westminster may have destabilised the prime minister’s government.

In a post on X, the Labour politician wrote: “I am disappointed by today’s decision and concerned about its potential impact on the elections ahead of us.

“To whoever is Labour’s candidate and to our members in Manchester and Tameside: you will have my full support in this fight and I’ll be there whenever you need me.”

He added: “Tomorrow I return with full focus to my role as Mayor of GM, defending everything we have built in our city-region over many years. I decided to put myself forward to prevent the divisive politics of Reform from damaging that. We are stronger together and let’s stay that way.”

But the NEC’s move has sparked a major backlash from within the Labour Party, with one MP telling HuffPost UK that many backbenchers feel it was a “cowardly” decision.

Senior Labour figures including energy secretary Ed Miliband and deputy Labour leader Lucy Powell had previously said they thought Burnham should be allowed to run.

The Labour Party issued a statement defending the NEC on Sunday, saying allowing Burnham to run would have triggered an “unnecessary election for the position of Greater Manchester mayor”.

It claimed this “would have a substantial and disproportionate impact on party campaign resources ahead of the local elections and elections to the Scottish Parliament and Welsh Senedd in May”.

It added: “Although the party would be confident of retaining the mayoralty, the NEC could not put Labour’s control of Greater Manchester at any risk. ”

Housing and local government secretary Steve Reed told the BBC that it was not the right time for Burnham to return to parliament.

He said the NEC voted against it because “of the huge inconvenience to two million voters across Greater Manchester of having a by-election for a new mayor”.

“I know that’s disappointing for Andy,” Reed said. “But it’s good news for the people of Greater Manchester because he’s been doing such a good job as the mayor there.”

He claimed “voters don’t like elections that come mid-term” adding that “in due course, I look forward to seeing Andy back in parliament”.

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Andy Burnham Tees Up Battle With Keir Starmer By Launching MP Bid

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Andy Burnham has launched his bid to be Labour’s candidate in a crunch by-election and return to Westminster as an MP.

The Manchester mayor told Labour bosses of his intentions to stand in Gorton and Denton following the resignation on health grounds of sitting MP Andrew Gwynne.

In a letter posted on X, Burnham – who quit as an MP in 2017 – said it was time for him to try to return to parliament.

As a mayor, he has to seek special permission from Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) to be allowed to apply to be a candidate.

Burnham said it had been “a difficult decision”, but vowed to run a “hopeful and unifying campaign” if chosen to as Labour’s candidate.

He there was now “a direct threat to everything Greater Manchester has always been about from a brand of politics which seeks to pit people against each other” – an apparent reference to Reform UK and the rise of the far-right.

He added: “I see this by-election as the front line of that fight for the Manchester way and I feel I owe it to a city which has given me so much to lead it from the front, despite the risks involved.”

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I have today written to the Chair of Labour’s National Executive Committee seeking permission to enter the selection process for a candidate for the forthcoming Gorton and Denton by-election.

Read my letter here.👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/TwKgADsuSB

— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) January 24, 2026

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I have today written to the Chair of Labour’s National Executive Committee seeking permission to enter the selection process for a candidate for the forthcoming Gorton and Denton by-election.

Read my letter here.👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/TwKgADsuSB

— Andy Burnham (@AndyBurnhamGM) January 24, 2026

Burnham’s decision tees up a major battle with Downing Street, where allies of Keir Starmer want the NEC to block his candidacy so he can’t mount a leadership challenge against the prime minister.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast in November, he refused to rule out making a third bid to lead Labour at some point in the future.

He said: “I am not going to sit here this morning and rule out what might or might not happen in the future. Why would I? I don’t know what the future holds.”

But blocking his candidacy would potentially trigger a civil war in the party, with senior figures including Labour mayor Sadiq Khan demanding that Burnham be allowed to stand.

Khan told a Fabian Society conference on Saturday: “I’m a firm believer in the best team having all the talent playing for them.”

Energy secretary Ed Miliband told the same event: “I very much hope the local party will have the option of selecting Andy Burnham as the candidate”.

Even if he were chosen as Labour’s candidate, there is no guarantee that Burnham would be elected as polls indicate the Gorton and Denton seat is now a three-way marginal between Labour. Reform UK and the Greens.

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