Keir Starmer Will "100 Per Cent" Support Andy Burnham In By-Election
2 min read
Keir Starmer has insisted he will “100 per cent” support Andy Burnham in the upcoming Makerfield by-election, which is shaping up to be a straight contest between Labour and Reform UK.
In a visit to Labour HQ, the Prime Minister said he would offer his full backing to whoever the candidate is.
Labour’s ruling body will draw up a shortlist of people this week and local members will vote on Thursday. However, it is widely expected that Burnham, the Manchester mayor, will be selected after the NEC said it would not block his candidacy.
Starmer told activists on Monday the last 10 days had “not been easy” for the party and the local election results had demonstrated that the public had not felt the fruits of a Labour government quickly enough.
The Prime Minister said: “We need to build up the urgency of what we do. We need a bit more hope in there. And we need to remember at all times what we are here to do. We were elected to government to serve the people of this country.
“And I remind myself every day that in July 2024 millions of people voted for us to come into government, to get on with the job, to govern, and to bring about the change that they want.
“So I am focused on the job that I was asked to do, which is to serve my country and to carry out my duties as Prime Minister of this country. Delivering for the very many people who voted us into office, who are saying, ‘just get on with it, get on with the job, get on with the change that I need to see in my life’.
“And that is what I am going to be doing.”
Starmer said the Makerfield by-election was a straight fight between Nigel Farage’s party and Labour, and that he wanted every Labour member and person associated with the party to support Burnham.
“A Labour candidate to beat Reform. That is the fight that we are in.”
Burnham was blocked from standing as a candidate in the Gorton and Denton by-election in February. The Prime Minister said it could have triggered a Manchester mayoral by-election, which would have cost the public at least £4million.
Burnham, who has previously served as a cabinet minister, is seen as a potential leadership challenger to Starmer if he wins the by-election. He is currently the bookmakers’ favourite to replace Starmer as prime minister and Labour leader.
