Labour peer says Starmer has ‘absolutely no authority’ as Burnham gains support
8 reported3 unconfirmed
A Labour peer has stated that Prime Minister Keir Starmer has "absolutely no authority" because "everybody assumes" Andy Burnham will challenge for the leadership and is likely to win, according to a single-source report from The Guardian. Lord Charlie Falconer, who served in the cabinet under Tony Blair, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Starmer could have "at most weeks to go," leaving him unable to effectively control his cabinet, command the Commons, or deal with allies or opponents. The report follows Andy Burnham's victory in the Makerfield byelection, where he won 55% of the vote share. Several Labour MPs, including Beccy Cooper and Jess Phillips, have publicly backed Burnham, with Phillips stating he has "earned the right to come and make his case to the parliamentary Labour party." A pro-Starmer memo circulating among loyalist MPs argues that Burnham has not faced real scrutiny and that a true contest would expose him to questions he has not had to answer. Reform UK is examining whether sexist comments by its candidate in the byelection may have harmed the party's chances, after Nigel Farage accepted the result had disappointed him.
What’s reported
Labour peer Charlie Falconer said Keir Starmer has "absolutely no authority" because "everybody assumes" Andy Burnham will challenge for the leadership and is likely to win.
Falconer told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that Starmer could have "at most weeks to go."
Andy Burnham won 55% of the vote share in the Makerfield byelection.
A pro-Starmer memo seen by The Guardian says Burnham "hasn't faced any real scrutiny yet."
Beccy Cooper, Labour MP for Worthing West, said a leadership contest involving Starmer "is not actually going to benefit our country or the party in the long term."
Jess Phillips said Burnham has "proved his hypothesis" that he could beat Reform and has "earned the right to come and make his case."
Reform UK is examining whether sexist comments by its candidate Robert Kenyon may have harmed the party's chances.
Nigel Farage said Makerfield was a disappointment.
Open questions
Whether Keir Starmer will stand in a leadership contest.
What specific policies a Burnham-led government would pursue.
The outcome of Reform UK's examination of its candidate's comments.
Key figures
Keir Starmer, Prime Minister and Labour leader
Andy Burnham, outgoing Greater Manchester mayor and newly elected MP for Makerfield
Charlie Falconer, Labour peer and former cabinet minister under Tony Blair
Beccy Cooper, Labour MP for Worthing West
Jess Phillips, Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley
Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader
Robert Kenyon, Reform UK candidate in Makerfield byelection
John Healey, former defence secretary (resigned)
Wes Streeting, Labour MP (mentioned as potential leadership candidate)
Sources: The Guardian
