Labour MPs call for ‘change with a minimum of fuss’

PM Starmer insists he will not stand aside for Andy Burnham

- DAVID MADDOX ATHENA STAVROU MILLIE COOKE KATE DEVLIN

Ministers are calling for meetings with Sir Keir Starmer to urge him to quit to make way for Andy Burnham after his stunning victory at the Makerfield by-election.

Labour MPs are clamouring for a “coronation” for the former Greater Manchester mayor as prime minister to prevent a drawn-out leadership battle that could crush the party's general election hopes.

Transport secretary Heidi Alexander is understood to have been the first to tell the PM to go, while other ministers have told The Independent they plan to tell Sir Keir he must set out a timetable to leave No 10. Cabinet members, including Yvette Cooper, Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood, are also said to be preparing to repeat their earlier demands that he do so, in the wake of Mr Burnham’s victory.

But a defiant Sir Keir has refused to step down and made it clear he will fight any leadership contest, calling on the party to “pull together” and “avoid plunging the country into chaos”. However, it is understood he will spend the weekend considering his future and taking soundings from ministers and allies.

After beating Nigel Farage’s Reform with almost 55 per cent of the vote, Mr Burnham pledged to “lay out a new path for Britain”, prioritising the economy, reindustrialisation and education, at a victory rally where he was buoyed by a cheering crowd of supporters.

He said his landslide victory was “the last chance to save Labour” after the party had slid to record low polling results following its victory in the 2024 general election under Sir Keir’s leadership.

Mr Burnham promised an end to “trickle-down” economics and an “unfair” immigration system. He vowed to push for the reindustrialisation of Britain’s cities, use public procurement to boost British businesses and bring in work placements for all 16-to18-year-olds.