Sir Keir Starmer is facing mounting pressure to set out a timetable for his departure from Downing Street following Andy Burnham’s decisive victory in the Makerfield by-election.
The Prime Minister has repeatedly insisted that he will not resign and has vowed to fight any attempt to remove him from the Labour leadership. However, Burnham’s victory has emboldened critics within the party, with a growing number of MPs and senior Labour figures now openly questioning whether Starmer can remain in office.
Several MPs who previously backed a statement rejecting calls for a leadership contest are understood to have changed their position. Former Home Secretary Alan Johnson delivered one of the most direct interventions, telling LBC that his message to the Prime Minister would simply be: “It’s over, Keir.”
Reports suggest that Starmer spent Friday speaking with Cabinet ministers, some of whom urged him to establish a clear timetable for stepping down. While speculation continues over when a leadership contest could begin, Burnham’s allies are said to favour a managed transition rather than an immediate challenge.
Former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh argued that both men should meet in the coming days to agree a way forward. Speaking after Burnham’s victory, she expressed hope for “a managed and orderly transition”, suggesting discussions could take place over the next week before any formal decisions are announced.
According to reports, Burnham’s supporters would prefer Starmer to clarify his intentions within days, although they would accept an arrangement allowing him to remain in Number 10 until September.
Not everyone agrees with that approach. Former Deputy Leader Harriet Harman has warned against a prolonged period of uncertainty, arguing that ministers cannot remain “in a state of paralysis all through the summer”. Her intervention reflects growing concern among Labour figures that an extended leadership debate could damage the government’s effectiveness.
Despite the pressure, Starmer appears determined to remain in place. During a call with Labour staff on Friday, he warned against “plunging our party and our country into chaos by turning on each other and tearing apart our party and our movement”.
The Prime Minister is also reported to be preparing for a potential leadership challenge. According to reports, he has secured the backing of private donors and assembled a campaign fund worth six figures to support any future contest.
Labour figures backing Starmer have sought to shift attention towards the upcoming Greater Manchester mayoral by-election, which was triggered by Burnham’s election to Parliament. The contest is due to take place on 30 July, with Labour expected to announce its candidate on 26 June.
The party believes the race will largely be fought between Labour and Reform UK. However, the Green Party hopes to build on recent electoral gains and establish itself as a serious challenger. Green leader Zack Polanski has argued that the mayoral election represents “a straight up battle between the Green Party vs Reform”.
As Labour attempts to navigate growing internal divisions, the coming days may prove decisive. Whether Starmer can withstand the pressure or whether Burnham’s victory marks the beginning of a leadership transition remains one of the most significant questions facing British politics.
