Keir Starmer has moved to cool speculation about a potential leadership challenge from Andy Burnham, praising the Manchester mayor’s work and discouraging party infighting.
Burnham’s refusal to rule out leadership ambitions revived conversation at a time when Labour faces slipping public support and an upcoming budget.
Starmer, speaking on his flight to Johannesburg, reflected on Burnham’s role in coordinating responses after the synagogue attack. He described him as a key partner in crisis management.
He criticised those spreading rumours about Wes Streeting, saying Labour must avoid distractions and focus on addressing the rising cost of living.
Burnham continues to emphasize his commitment to Manchester’s growth strategy while keeping the door open to potential future political roles, maintaining public interest in his next steps.