Stop making mistakes, Starmer warned by senior Labour figures

Labour insiders form new centre-left group in bid to change party's direction

- Rowena Mason and Aletha Adu

Keir Starmer was warned by senior Labour figures to stop making mistakes yesterday as the battle over its deputy leadership contest began amid fears the government could retreat on workers' rights.

As candidates began to jostle to replace Angela Rayner, the prime minister faced public criticism from Emily Thornberry, a potential contender, who warned that further mistakes from him could lead to having to "hand our country to Farage".

Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, also called for a "reset" and more pluralistic style, telling the Guardian that the government needed to be "listening to the heartbeat of the party".

Burnham, who is considered by some as a future candidate to succeed Starmer, cannot run for the deputy leadership but he endorsed either Lou Haigh or Lucy Powell - two former cabinet ministers sacked by the prime minister.

Union leaders also warned Starmer yesterday against any attempt to water down Angela Rayner's employment rights bill which is still making its way through parliament.

Rayner's employment minister, Justin Madders - who was removed from his job in the reshuffle - said yesterday it "would be really, really foolish for the government to row back on key manifesto commitments that are popular with the public and will show what a positive difference a Labour government can make".

Downing Street and Labour sources insisted the legislation would proceed despite pressure from businesses to water down some of the protections against unfair dismissal.