STORY
A number of Labour MPs have publicly rallied behind Keir Starmer as pressure continues over his leadership following Andy Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield by-election. The Prime Minister is facing renewed speculation about his future, with reports that senior Labour figures are discussing whether he should stand down or agree a transition timetable.
Samantha Niblett, the Labour MP for South Derbyshire, said on social media that constituents at a coffee morning had thanked her for backing the Prime Minister and that comments and emails about her support had been “almost entirely gratitude”. She also said that constituents already knew she backed Starmer and called on others to sign up and contact their own MPs. Michael Payne, the Labour MP for Gedling, also urged the party to “stop the noise”, back the Prime Minister and focus on delivery.
Payne later wrote in LabourList that Starmer’s support for Ukraine, work with allies and focus on public services formed a record “worth defending”. He said Labour should not “spend its time indulging Westminster psychodrama” and argued that changing leaders would invite demands for an early general election. The public backing came as it is reported that Starmer was considering his political future, while other Labour figures continued to debate whether Burnham should replace him as party leader and Prime Minister.