Keir Starmer is facing mounting pressure from within his own party as a weekend of reflection looms, with some Labour MPs openly calling for his resignation. The former director of public prosecutions is expected to confront the music as Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, is touted as a possible replacement.
Weekend of Reckoning
According to senior Labour sources, the coming days will be critical for Starmer's leadership. A number of backbench MPs have expressed dissatisfaction with his performance, citing poor polling numbers and a lack of clear direction. One MP told the Guardian, “There is a growing sense that we need a change at the top. Starmer has had his chance, and it’s not working.”
The weekend is set to include a series of private meetings and discussions among Labour figures, with Burnham's name frequently mentioned as a unifying candidate. Burnham, who ran for the party leadership in 2020, has maintained a high profile through his handling of regional issues and has not ruled out a future bid.
Burnham’s Rising Profile
Andy Burnham has seen his stock rise significantly since becoming mayor of Greater Manchester. His independent stance on issues such as transport and housing has won him support beyond the traditional Labour base. A recent poll suggested that Burnham would be the preferred choice among Labour voters if a leadership contest were held today.
However, Burnham has so far remained tight-lipped about his ambitions. A spokesperson for the mayor said, “Andy is focused on his job in Greater Manchester and has no plans to challenge the leadership at this time.”
Starmer’s Defenders Push Back
Despite the growing unrest, Starmer still has a core group of supporters who argue that he has stabilized the party after the Corbyn era and needs more time to implement his vision. A Labour frontbencher said, “Keir has done a lot to rebuild trust with the electorate. We should not be rushing to judgment based on a few difficult months.”
The party is also wary of repeating the turmoil of the past decade, with many fearing that another leadership contest could further damage Labour’s electoral prospects. Starmer himself has shown no signs of stepping down, telling allies that he intends to fight on.
What Happens Next?
The weekend of reflection could prove decisive. If a significant number of MPs publicly call for Starmer’s resignation, it may trigger a formal challenge. Under Labour rules, a leadership contest can be triggered if 20% of the parliamentary party supports it.
Currently, it is unclear whether that threshold can be met. However, the mood among many Labour MPs is one of frustration and impatience. As one former minister put it, “We cannot afford to drift any longer. The country needs a credible opposition, and we are not providing that under Starmer.”
Burnham, for his part, continues to deny any immediate plans to run, but his name remains on everyone’s lips. Whether he will answer the call remains to be seen.
