Sunday 10 May 2026 5:22 pm
Rayner accuses Starmer of 'toxic culture' and calls for Burnham's return
Angela Rayner has accused Sir Keir Starmer of fostering a “toxic culture” within the Labour Party following its devastating local election defeat. The former deputy prime minister criticised the Prime Minister for blocking Andy Burnham’s return to Westminster, intensifying the internal turmoil.
Rumours had been circulating about whether Rayner would challenge Starmer for leadership, as multiple Labour MPs urge him to step down. Speaking on Sunday, she stated: “This government needs, at pace, to put measures in place that make people’s lives tangibly better, while fixing the foundations of a system rigged against them. The Prime Minister must now meet the moment and set out the change our country needs.”
Rayner addressed the failed attempt by Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to run for Labour in the Gorton and Denton by-election, widely seen as a precursor to a leadership challenge against Starmer. She said: “This is bigger than personalities, but it is time to acknowledge that blocking Andy Burnham was a mistake. We must show we understand the scale of change the moment calls for – that means bringing our best players into Parliament – and embracing the type of agenda that has been successful at a local level, rather than reaching back to an agenda and politics that has failed people.”
This is a breaking story and will be updated.
