Labour’s Wes Streeting and Andy Burnham Vie for Leadership After Starmer’s Imminent Departure
The Labour Party is navigating an undeclared leadership contest as the departure of Sir Keir Starmer appears increasingly imminent. While no formal challenge has been mounted against the prime minister, and he maintains he is 'getting on with the job', senior figures are already positioning themselves for a potential succession.
Streeting Advocates EU Rejoining, Burnham Prioritises Domestic Unity
Wes Streeting, recently stepping down from a front-bench role, has seized the opportunity to speak freely, asserting that Brexit was a 'catastrophic mistake' and expressing a desire for the UK to rejoin the European Union in due course. This contrasts with Andy Burnham, who, while previously indicating a similar long-term aspiration, now emphasises that discussing rejoining the bloc is 'the last thing we should do'. Burnham’s altered emphasis, particularly in the context of his upcoming Makerfield by-election, reflects a tactical shift given the constituency's decisive Brexit vote and strong support for Reform UK in recent local elections.
Burnham’s immediate focus is the Makerfield by-election, presenting him with a geographically specific and demographically focused audience. Streeting, conversely, is addressing Labour MPs and party members nationwide, whom he must convince in any future leadership ballot. This divergence in immediate audience shapes their current public pronouncements.
Fiscal Stance Divides Potential Successors
Burnham has also sought to reassure financial markets, pledging to maintain the current government’s 'fiscal rules' regarding borrowing limits. This follows earlier remarks where he floated the idea of excluding some defence spending from these limits and criticised being 'in hock to the bond markets', comments that drew public rebuke from some Labour MPs, including the prime minister and chancellor.
As Burnham is expected to be confirmed as the Labour candidate for Makerfield, and Streeting prepares further public statements, both will face scrutiny. They aim to present a distinct vision for the country that differentiates them from Starmer, while remaining sufficiently aligned with the party’s two-year-old manifesto to counter claims that a new leader would lack a mandate and necessitate a general election.
