Prime Minister Keir Starmer has responded with humour to persistent speculation about a potential challenge to his leadership of the Labour Party, telling MPs the rumours "seem to be pretty rife" in Westminster corridors.
Starmer addresses leadership whispers head-on
The comments, made on Monday 15th December 2025 during a session of the Commons Liaison Committee, followed fresh weekend reports suggesting Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham was plotting a return to Parliament. Persistent chatter among Labour MPs suggests Mr Starmer could face a leadership contest if the party performs poorly in the upcoming May elections.
When pressed by Conservative MP Alberto Costa on whether the leadership speculation was a purely internal party matter, the Prime Minister laughed before delivering his now-characteristic dry retort. His remarks come amid an atmosphere of heightened tension within the governing party.
Burnham dismisses 'rubbish' Westminster comeback claims
The latest round of conjecture was sparked by a Sunday Times report claiming allies of Andy Burnham had identified a "nailed-on" parliamentary seat where he could potentially challenge Reform UK. The Mayor, however, was quick to dismiss the claims.
Taking to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Mr Burnham stated: "Quite a lot of rubbish in the papers today. Reminds me why I left Westminster in the first place!" This public denial has done little to quell the ongoing narrative of internal Labour manoeuvring.
PM pledges to 'get to the bottom' of Budget leaks
Mr Starmer's appearance before the committee also provided an opportunity to address the extraordinary briefing war that erupted at the top of government ahead of Chancellor Rachel Reeves's crucial Budget last month. At the time, sensational claims emerged that Health Secretary Wes Streeting was plotting against the Prime Minister—allegations Mr Streeting forcefully denied.
The Prime Minister told MPs his special advisers in Downing Street had assured him the "unacceptable" briefing against the Cabinet minister did not originate from Number 10. "I didn't just take everything at face value," Mr Starmer explained. "I looked at other bits of evidence to assure myself about what I was then saying publicly to the media."
He further vowed to uncover the source of leaks preceding the Budget, confirming an ongoing inquiry. Chancellor Reeves had previously told MPs she was "absolutely categorical" that a Financial Times story revealing she had dropped plans for an income tax rise was an unauthorised leak, not an official briefing.
"I've no reason to think there was a leak from No 10," the Prime Minister stated, but emphasised his commitment to the investigation. "I'll get to the bottom of these leaks. They are, in any organisation, intolerable. I took the same action when I was head of the Crown Prosecution Service. There is a leak inquiry. It can go wherever the evidence will take it, and if it comes to a conclusion, I'll act on it."
When asked if he would consider removing someone from their post based on the inquiry's findings, Mr Starmer replied: "Obviously, I'll wait for the inquiry, but I mean the inquiry will go wherever the evidence takes it... I'll take appropriate action if there's a finding."
The dual focus of the session—leadership rumours and government discipline—highlights the pressures facing the Labour administration as it navigates its first year in power with a delicate parliamentary majority and significant economic challenges.
