UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Labour MP Richard Burgon warns Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer must change course or face being forced out by May amid rising discontent and poor polls.
As reported by The Independent, Richard Burgon warned that Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer must “change course immediately,” or it is “inevitable” he will be forced to quit by May if local elections go poorly.
What did Richard Burgon say about Sir Keir Starmer and the far-right threat?
Labour MP for Leeds East, Richard Burgon, warned Britain faces a “real threat for the first time in our country’s history of what I would consider to be a far-right extremist government,” stating it is the prime minister’s “duty to stop that happening.”
He said,
“He can only do that by delivering for people who want real change. And if he can’t do that, then of course, there’s going to have to be change at the very top.”
His remarks come as concern grows over Labour’s direction, amid poor approval ratings and increasing unrest among backbenchers.
Mr Burgon issued a stern warning, claiming,
“I think it’s inevitable that if May’s elections go as people predict and the opinion polls predict, then I think Starmer will be gone at that time.”
He stated,
“It feels like we’re years and years into an unpopular government, rather than a year into a government that’s just got rid of the Conservatives. We’re losing votes to the left. We’re going to be losing seats to the right.”
The Labour MP said,
“But fundamentally, for me, we face a real threat for the first time in our country’s history of what I would consider to be a far right extremist government,” adding, “It’s the prime minister’s duty to stop that happening. He can only do that by delivering for people who want real change. And if he can’t do that, then of course, there’s going to have to be change at the very top.”
Mr Burgon said,
“The prime minister needs to change course immediately. Otherwise, I’m pretty certain he’ll be gone next May as it stands.”
When asked if the prime minister could change course, he replied,
“That remains to be seen. I have to say that I’m not confident, because the signs are bad, because back benchers and voters have been telling the prime minister on key issues that he’s got it wrong, but he hasn’t listened.”
Mr Burgon added,
“Listening is an important part of leadership. And without a change in political direction, without a change in political culture, then the prime minister, and therefore the government, will continue to fail.”
What did Clive Lewis say about Sir Keir Starmer’s performance?
Labour MP Clive Lewis last week said Sir Keir “doesn’t seem up to the job” following Peter Mandelson appointment fallout.
The MP for Norwich South stated,
“You see a Labour prime minister who feels that he’s lost control within the first year.”
He said, “This isn’t navel-gazing. This is me thinking about my constituents, this country, and the fact that the person who is eight points ahead of us is Nigel Farage. That terrifies me.”
Mr Lewis added,
“It terrifies my constituents, and it terrifies a lot of people in this country. We don’t have the luxury of carrying on this way with someone who I think, increasingly, I’m sorry to say, just doesn’t seem up to the job.”
What did Baroness Jacqui Smith say about Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership and US visit?
Skills minister Baroness Jacqui Smith denied claims Labour ignored MPs, and rejected idea Keir Starmer’s meeting with US President Donald Trump “is a last-chance saloon.”
She said,
“I don’t believe we are ignoring our MPs… I think what we’re doing is getting on with the job that the British people elected us to do, that they elected our MPs to do, that the vast majority of our MPs also believe that a Labour Government should focus on.”
When questioned whether this week’s US state visit is a “last-chance saloon” for the prime minister, Ms Smith responded,
“No, what Keir Starmer is doing today is he’s in Downing Street meeting with representatives from the nuclear industry to talk about the deal we are striking with the US this week to help us to get back control of our energy supply and build more nuclear power.”
How could Andy Burnham replace Keir Starmer as Labour leader?
Left-wing Labour MPs are reportedly considering Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to succeed Sir Keir Starmer.
Insiders say he may launch a bid for Labour leadership, pushing for wealth taxes, nationalisation, and an end to the two-child benefit cap.
To challenge Mr Starmer for Labour leadership, Mr Burnham would need a parliamentary seat via a by-election. The Gorton and Denton seat in Manchester, vacated due to MP Andrew Gwynne’s WhatsApp scandal, could be Mr Burnham’s path to Labour leadership.
The prime minister faced pressure over his leadership after sacking Peter Mandelson as ambassador amid Jeffrey Epstein ties, despite defending him in Parliament. Last week, the deputy prime minister also resigned over tax issues.
Why did Keir Starmer remove Peter Mandelson as ambassador?
Keir Starmer has sacked Lord Peter Mandelson as US ambassador over links to convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein.
MPs were informed by Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty that Lord Mandelson had not fully revealed his relationship with convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein when made ambassador.
He confirmed Number 10 was unaware of emails from Mandelson to Epstein claiming his 2008 child prostitution conviction should be challenged.
A Foreign Office spokesperson stated,
“In light of the additional information in emails written by Peter Mandelson, the prime minister has asked the foreign secretary to withdraw him as ambassador.”
They added,
“The emails show that the depth and extent of Peter Mandelson’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein is materially different from that known at the time of his appointment. In particular, Peter Mandelson’s suggestion that Jeffrey Epstein’s first conviction was wrongful and should be challenged is new information.”
What led to Angela Rayner’s resignation?
Angela Rayner resigned after admitting she underpaid stamp duty on her £800,000 seaside flat amid pressure for greater transparency over her property affairs.
She has referred herself to the PM’s ethics adviser after accepting underpayment on her property. Experts say the bill could rise by up to £40,000.