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Transport Minister Heidi Alexander has urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to prepare an orderly transition of power, as Andy Burnham's victory in the by-election has fuelled debates about the future of the Labour leadership...
British Transport Minister Heidi Alexander has asked Prime Minister Keir Starmer to set a deadline for her resignation, the Financial Times reported on Friday. The development comes as Andy Burnham's return to Parliament is fueling speculation of a challenge to the Labour Party leadership.
According to the newspaper, Alexander told Starmer that his departure would be in the interests of the country and the party, creating the opportunity for a smooth transition to a new leader. Earlier in the day, Starmer had stated that he intended to stay in office and face any challenges to his leadership.
Andy Burnham has secured a landslide victory in the Makerfield by-election, significantly strengthening his political position. He secured a 9,231-vote lead over Reform UK candidate Robert Kenyon.
After the result was announced, Burnham addressed his party leaders with a clear message: "I say to my party: this is the last chance for change."
Speaking to his supporters in the early hours of the morning, he added that everyone knows that politics is not working. "Everyone feels that the country is not where it should be. This night could be a turning point," he said.
Makerfield, a traditional Labour constituency between Manchester and Liverpool, is considered a key test for British politics. The result showed that Labour could retain support in its historic strongholds in the face of Reform UK.
For Nigel Farage's party, the result is a political blow, as the right-wing Restore Britain party has begun to attract a portion of its electorate.
The pressure on Starmer
The result is expected to increase pressure on the prime minister. A number of Labour MPs, concerned about Starmer's low popularity and the government's political difficulties, believe Burnham can restore voter support for the party.
Burnham, a former Labour minister and currently mayor of Greater Manchester, is known for his strong public profile and support for a model he describes as "business-friendly socialism".
Louise Haigh, a former minister and Burnham supporter, told the BBC that she hopes Starmer takes the election message seriously.
"I hope he will consider a smooth and orderly transition."
Starmer's reaction
Shortly after 6am, Starmer publicly congratulated Burnham on his victory: “Congratulations to Andy Burnham, the new Labour MP for Makerfield. Voters chose Labour’s campaign of hope and optimism, not division and hatred.”
However, the Prime Minister has made it clear that he has no plans to leave Downing Street and intends to complete the five-year term he received after the 2024 election.
If Burnham were to succeed in leading the government, he would become the seventh prime minister of the United Kingdom since the Brexit referendum in 2016, after David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer.
Speculation about resignation
According to senior government sources, some cabinet figures believe Starmer's political position has become extremely difficult.
One minister said that some colleagues believe the situation is irreversible and that more resignations could follow in the coming days.
Another minister said he did not see how Starmer could continue the political battle without further damaging his authority.
Other choices
On the same day, two by-elections were also held in Scotland.
The Conservative Party achieved a surprise victory over the SNP in Aberdeen South, winning a seat in a by-election for the first time in more than 50 years.
Meanwhile, the SNP retained the mandate in Arbroath and Broughty Ferry.
The result in Aberdeen represents another disappointment for Reform UK, which failed to stop either Labour in Makerfield or the Conservatives in Scotland, despite significant investment in targeted social media advertising.
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