Wes Streeting Confirms Leadership Bid
Wes Streeting has confirmed he would enter any potential Labour leadership contest, days after resigning as health secretary and expressing to the prime minister that he had "lost confidence" in him.
Streeting stated on Saturday:
"We need a proper contest with the best candidates on the field, and I will be standing."
Andy Burnham Aims to 'Save' Labour
Meanwhile, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham told the BBC he was seeking to stand in the Makerfield by-election with the intention to "save" the Labour Party.
Burnham, who is widely expected to attempt to replace Sir Keir Starmer as leader should he be selected as the party's candidate in the by-election and win, said the vote must be a moment to:
"reclaim the Labour party, to save it from where it's been".
Prime Minister Resists Calls to Step Down
The prime minister is resisting calls to stand down and set a timetable for his departure following Labour's election losses in early May. He is expected to contest any challenge from likely contenders, including Burnham and Streeting.
Streeting resigned on Thursday but has not formally launched a challenge to Sir Keir's leadership.
When asked on Saturday whether he had the backing of the 81 Labour MPs needed to trigger such a contest, Streeting responded:
"I do have support in the parliamentary party, but this week I also had a choice."
Speaking to reporters at a conference hosted by Labour-aligned political organisation Progress, he added that the party could have "rushed" into a contest.
However, he argued that proceeding without giving Burnham the chance to stand would mean a new leader would lack "legitimacy", which would ultimately "extend the instability and uncertainty" within the party.
Streeting declined to speculate on Sir Keir's future, noting that despite any "disagreements" between them, the prime minister possessed "many remarkable qualities" and was "someone of enormous decency".
When asked what he would say to voters considering backing Burnham, Streeting said:
"Vote for him, in Makerfield especially."
Burnham Cleared to Stand in Makerfield By-Election
Burnham was cleared on Friday to stand in the by-election by Labour's ruling National Executive Committee, after the constituency's current MP announced he would vacate the seat to make way for the Manchester mayor.
This move would enable Burnham to return to Westminster as an MP, a requirement to join a leadership contest under Labour Party rules.
Burnham told the BBC on Saturday that Labour "needs to be better".
"We've got to see this as a moment to reclaim the Labour party, to save it from where it's been - we can't just carry on as we are."
He expressed a desire for Labour to "be part of working class people" and commented:
"I think Britain has been on the wrong path for 40 years, it started de-industrialisation, de-regulation of the buses, privatisation of life's essentials."
When asked whether the election was a vanity project and if voters would be frustrated by another election, Burnham said:
"I think this is a very necessary election, it's about fixing politics because it's not been working for people."
He added that he would "put everything into it", stating:
"We're going to change the conversation in this campaign. We're going to get Labour closer to these communities again."
The BBC understands the by-election is likely to take place on 18 June.
Pressure Mounts on Sir Keir Starmer
Sir Keir has faced increasing pressure from MPs to resign following elections on 7 May, which saw Labour lose almost 1,500 councillors in England and suffer heavy losses in Wales and Scotland's national elections.
The BBC is aware of nearly 90 Labour MPs who have since called on Sir Keir to leave his post or set out a timetable for his resignation.
However, more than 150 MPs have indicated support for the prime minister or stated that it is not the right time for a leadership contest.
Sir Keir has told his cabinet that he will "get on with governing" and warned that a leadership contest could result in "chaos".
