Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he will contest any Labour leadership election triggered following Andy Burnham’s victory in the Makerfield by-election.
He said he would not step aside if such a contest takes place and would remain in the race as the sitting leader.
The prime minister cautioned that a leadership contest could destabilise the party and urged focus instead on the forthcoming by-election to select a new Mayor of Greater Manchester following Burnham’s return to Parliament.
“If there is a contest, then, yes, I will stand,” he said, adding that he was not prepared to “walk away”.
Starmer said he was elected on a mandate at the 2024 general election and that his focus remained on delivering the government’s programme.
He also said attention should now shift to the forthcoming Greater Manchester mayoral contest, which will be triggered by Burnham’s resignation.
Burnham won the Makerfield by-election with 55% of the vote and described the result as a “turning point”, saying voters had backed “change” and greater regional autonomy.
The outcome has sparked discussion within Labour over leadership succession.
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