Labour MP Sparks Debate: Should Andy Burnham Replace Keir Starmer as Prime Minister?

Table of Contents

1. Demand for Leadership Change
2. Clive Lewis' Comments
3. Previous Calls for Resignation
4. Internal Party Issues
5. Conclusion

A Labour MP has become the first to openly suggest that Sir Keir Starmer be succeeded as Prime Minister by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

Clive Lewis made this bold statement during a televised interview on Friday night, urging his party to prioritize “country before party” and to consider installing Mr. Burnham in the role.

Andy Burnham, mayor of Greater Manchester, at the annual Labour Party conferenceCredit: Getty

Mr. Lewis stated that he did not believe the party could “stagger on” without addressing its leadership crisis, cautioning that senior figures should seriously consider a path to bring the Manchester mayor back into the fold.

Mr. Lewis remarked: “We need to do what was once said, which is to put the country before the party.

“And frankly, party should come before personal ambition.

“I just don’t see how this situation can continue without any resolution in sight.

“I think the Labour Party, the senior members, the men in grey suits, should seriously contemplate how we can reintegrate him into this parliamentary Labour Party and allow him to step up as the next Prime Minister.

“That’s my personal opinion. I know not everyone will agree, but I don’t see many other viable options.”

His remarks signify a notable escalation.

In September, he was the first Labour MP to call for Sir Keir to resign, a day after a former US ambassador was dismissed due to his connections with Jeffrey Epstein.

At that time, he told the BBC’s The Week In Westminster: “You see a Labour Prime Minister who feels he’s lost control within the first year.”

He added: “This isn’t self-indulgence. This is me considering my constituents, this country, and the fact that someone who is eight points ahead of us is Nigel Farage.

“That frightens me. It frightens my constituents, and it alarms many people across this nation.

“We cannot afford to continue in this manner with someone who, regrettably, I believe is not up to the task.”

Mr. Lewis' renewed criticism comes at a time of significant unrest within Labour following a chaotic and “toxic” briefing to journalists earlier in the week.

No.10 attempted to portray Sir Keir as prepared to tackle any leadership challenge while criticizing senior figures, including Health Secretary Wes Streeting.

However, the briefing resulted in a wave of negative headlines and fueled accusations that the Prime Minister has lost control of his own team.

Sir Keir later asserted that he had not authorized the briefing, leading many MPs to blame his chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney.

Although the Prime Minister publicly exonerated Mr. McSweeney, the controversy has intensified existing calls within the party for his departure.

No.10 had attempted to present Sir Keir as ready to fight off any leadership challengeCredit: Alamy

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