Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he will 'keep pushing forward' as he defends his record in office, claiming that Labour's plan is working despite mounting challenges to his leadership. The Prime Minister highlighted efforts to cut costs, reduce net migration, and boost growth, stating that the government is delivering the change voters demanded in the 2024 landslide election.
Leadership Challenges Intensify
The Prime Minister's position as Labour leader remains precarious, with Andy Burnham seeking a return to Parliament in the Makerfield by-election and former health secretary Wes Streeting outlining an alternative policy platform. Scores of Labour MPs have called for Starmer to stand down after an electoral hammering earlier this month across English councils, Wales, and Scotland.
Burnham's Campaign
Mr Burnham launched his Makerfield campaign on Friday, saying 'a vote for me in this by-election is a vote to change Labour.' He is standing in a constituency where Labour had a majority of 5,399 in 2024 but where Reform UK won every ward in the local elections this month. He promised to give voters 'the party back they used to know.'
Streeting's Policy Platform
Mr Streeting has set out policies including a wealth tax to revive the New Labour-era Sure Start programme and planning reforms to fund council homes for children in temporary accommodation. He criticised the government's inability to deliver change, saying: 'The biggest thing that I think is broken in this country at the moment is that, for the first time in modern history, the prospects for the next generation are worse than the last.'
Starmer's Defence
The Prime Minister, who has insisted he will not walk away from No 10 if Mr Burnham wins the June 18 by-election, highlighted his record: 'We now have the fastest-growing economy in the G7, net migration has fallen and NHS waiting lists are at their lowest level in three-and-a-half years. Our plan is working.'
Office for National Statistics figures showed the economy grew by a higher-than-expected 0.6% over the first quarter. UK net migration dropped to an estimated 171,000 last year, the lowest level since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. NHS waiting lists stood at 7.11 million treatments in March, a fall of 110,073 from February.
'This Government will keep pushing forward to deliver the change the country voted for,' Starmer added.
