‘The Labour government hasn’t been functioning for weeks ...ministers are paralysed waiting to see who’ll be in Number 10’

LABOUR'S leadership battle is paralysing the country to the detriment of its people, Kemi Badenoch claims.

- BY MARTYN BROWN Political Editor

She spoke as Andy Burnham’s march towards No10 threatens to tear the government apart in days while Sir Keir Starmer still refuses to quit.

Mrs Badenoch said: “It hasn’t been functioning for weeks. Ministers are utterly paralysed waiting to see who will be Prime Minister. It’s a total mess. There is only one party that will get Britain working again, drill our own oil and gas, and fund our military by cutting welfare. That’s the Conservative Party.”

Military

Sir Keir has been attempting to shore up support from the Cabinet. But it is understood several ministers, including Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander, have told him to set out a timeline for his departure.

Mr Burnham, inset, emphatically won the Makerfield by-election and is believed to have the 81 backers necessary to trigger a leadership contest. Yesterday he told supporters: “It is our last chance to change. We are going to take that opportunity and we are going to lay out a new path for Britain.” His return to Westminster nine years after he quit comes after the PM vowed he would stand in a leadership contest and will not “walk away” from Downing Street.

He is understood to have amassed a £100,000 war chest to fund his campaign and registered a “Keir for Leader” website.

About 100 MPs have called for him to go, while Wes Streeting — another likely challenger for the top job — and John Healey quit the Cabinet in protest at his direction.

Sir Keir is under pressure to hand power to Mr Burnham.