Wes Streeting, a Labour MP and former health secretary, said Keir Starmer must make plans to resign once the Makerfield by-election result is known [1].
The demand signals a deepening rift within the Labour Party and suggests that a leadership transition may be necessary to avoid political stagnation. If Andy Burnham wins the seat, the party faces a potential power struggle that could destabilize its current direction [1, 2].
Streeting said that the outcome of the vote is the primary catalyst for this shift. "If Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield seat, Keir Starmer must make plans to resign," Streeting said [2]. He said that he has no doubt there will be a Labour leadership contest [1].
The by-election result is expected on Friday, May 3, 2024 [3]. Streeting said that Starmer should step aside immediately following the announcement to prevent the party from entering a period of internal conflict. This move is intended to ensure the party remains functional during the transition.
Other party figures have echoed concerns regarding the party's stability. Harriet Harman said that Labour cannot afford leadership paralysis [3]. The tension centers on whether Starmer's leadership can withstand the emergence of a strong challenger like Burnham within the party's ranks.
While sources differ on whether Starmer should announce the plan immediately or after the results are revealed, the core demand remains the same [2]. The party now awaits the Friday tally to determine if a formal challenge to the leadership will materialize [3].
“"If Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield seat, Keir Starmer must make plans to resign."”
This development indicates a strategic move by elements within the Labour Party to prepare for a post-Starmer era. By linking the leadership's viability to the Makerfield result, Streeting is framing the by-election not just as a local contest, but as a referendum on the party's national leadership. A win for Andy Burnham would provide the political capital necessary to trigger a formal leadership challenge, forcing the party to resolve its internal ideological divisions before the next general election.
