STORY
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has dismissed speculation about a Labour leadership challenge as “froth and nonsense”, saying the Government should focus on delivery rather than internal debate. Her comments came after a series of public interventions from Labour figures following the party’s poor local election performance.
Keir Starmer has resisted calls to stand down and has described his Government as a long-term project. Ministers loyal to the Prime Minister have argued that Labour must demonstrate discipline and concentrate on policy delivery, particularly on public services, economic growth and living standards.
The political pressure has nevertheless continued, with Wes Streeting saying he would stand in any future leadership contest and Andy Burnham seeking to return to Parliament. Any formal Labour leadership challenge would require sufficient support from MPs before a contest could be triggered.