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Sir Keir Starmer has indicated Andy Burnham should have a cabinet job and play a “big role in government” as the beleaguered prime minister tries to head off a looming leadership challenge.
Ahead of the crucial Makerfield by-election on Thursday in which Burnham is attempting to return to parliament, Starmer described his potential challenger as a “great asset” after being asked by Sky News if he should be in the cabinet.
He added: “And, yes, I want him to have a big role in government.”
Speaking to reporters on the fringes of the G7 summit near Lake Geneva on Wednesday, Starmer also urged Burnham to wait until the end of the Greater Manchester mayoral race before seeking to challenge him.
Starmer said the metro mayoral election would be another “huge by-election” and should be the party’s priority.
The mayoral by-election will take place on July 30 if Burnham wins Thursday’s vote and becomes an MP.
“The focus, I think, of the whole party will have to go to the Manchester mayoralty because that will come up within weeks,” Starmer said.
Starmer insisted that he did not resent Burnham’s attempts to oust him from Downing Street amid falling poll ratings. “I don’t feel angry, I don’t feel bitter,” he said.
Starmer admitted that “none of us gets every decision right” but insisted his government had numerous achievements including cutting NHS waiting lists.
Pointing to his record in turning around Labour’s electoral fortunes after the 2019 general election defeat, he reiterated he would not give up the party leadership easily: “I’m going to fight.”
Meanwhile, former health secretary Wes Streeting has claimed he would trigger a Labour leadership contest as early as next week if the prime minister refuses to set a timetable for his departure.
Downing Street is sceptical that Streeting has the backing of 81 Labour MPs needed to start a contest and the prime minister has insisted he will not yield to pressure to “walk away” from his job.
Like Burnham’s camp, Streeting believes Starmer should be given some “space” over the weekend to decide what he wants to do if Burnham wins in Makerfield.
Streeting told the BBC’s Newsnight: “I think the prime minister should be given some space and time to reflect over the weekend and I think we should see where we are then.
“I would prefer the PM to take a decision on his own terms rather than leave it for me or Andy or anyone else to trigger a contest.
“If not, we can’t carry on with this uncertainty and paralysis and there will need to be a contest and I would be prepared to do that.”
