Starmer under pressure as Burnham eyes return to Commons

Keir Starmer’s leadership remains under scrutiny on Friday, with potential contenders being identified – although none have yet publicly declared an intention to challenge him.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham confirmed on Thursday he will request permission from Labour’s ruling body to stand in a by-election, paving the way for his return to the House of Commons.

MP Josh Simons has stood down from his seat in Makerfield, where Labour holds a majority of 5,399, triggering a by-election.

ITV News understands No 10 will not seek to block Burnham from standing as a candidate, despite Labour’s governing body preventing him from competing in a by-election in Gorton and Denton in February.

Announcing his decision, Burnham said a “much bigger change was needed at a national level”, adding: “Millions are struggling and they need the Labour government to succeed.”

Burnham’s statement came on the same day Wes Streeting resigned from Starmer’s cabinet, telling the prime minister in a letter he had lost confidence in his leadership.

Reports had been mounting that the former health secretary was planning a leadership bid, and on Wednesday, he met with Starmer at Downing Street for a discussion which lasted just 16 minutes.

Streeting wrote in his resignation letter: “You have many great strengths that I admire. You led our party to a victory few thought possible in 2024 and I was proud to fight alongside you in the trenches of that campaign.

“You have shown courage and statesmanship on the world stage – not least in keeping Britain out of the war in Iran.

“But where we need vision, we have a vacuum. Where we need direction, we have drift.”

Starmer responded to Streeting with a letter, praising his work in government and stating that he had “no doubt you will continue to play an important role in our party for many years to come”.

“Everyone in our party is acutely aware that our opponents are more dangerous than ever before,” Starmer wrote.

“They are a real threat to the values we care about, to the communities we represent and to the country we love. It is incumbent on all of us to rise to what I see as a battle for the soul of our nation.”

Streeting’s resignation does not immediately trigger a leadership contest, with any MP wishing to do so needing the public backing of 81 Labour MPs.

Allies of the former health secretary insist Streeting has these numbers, but until a contest is officially launched, it is unclear exactly how much support Streeting carries.

Another name in the mix is Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister who was forced to step down last year after she was found to have broken ministerial code by underpaying stamp duty on an £800,000 flat she considered her second home.

Rayner told ITV News an HMRC investigation had cleared her of any wrongdoing, after concluding she had not sought to avoid paying the correct stamp duty on the purchase of her property in 2025.

“I’d taken advice and felt I’d done the right thing and it was right for me to stand down from government and to comply with HMRC, which is what I’ve done,” Rayner said.

Rayner did not rule out making a bid for No 10, but said she “would not trigger the prime minister” and also denied that she had made a leadership pact with Burnham.

Backers of Andy Burnham favour a longer leadership contest, which would give him the time to become an MP and throw his own name into the ring.

An earlier contest benefits Streeting’s own chances, but regardless of who stands, Starmer has insisted he will fight them, with at least 100 MPs signing a letter supporting him, though several have since claimed their names were added without their consent.

Responding to Streeting’s departure, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said it was a chance for Labour to “draw a line” under the leadership debate.

The Cabinet is “behind the prime minister” despite Wes Streeting’s resignation, she said.