It is hard to recall a moment in the past two years when Sir Keir Starmer's position seemed enviable. His entire tenure as Prime Minister has been fraught with challenges, marked by numerous 'worst weeks of his premiership'. Yet even by those grim standards, recent events have been particularly dire. In previous government crises, Starmer played an active role; now, he appears almost a bystander in his own political demise.
Should Andy Burnham win the Makerfield by-election tomorrow, senior Cabinet members are likely to push for his swift installation at Number 10, arguing that a seamless transition would be in the national interest. The Prime Minister, however, has made it clear he has no intention of stepping aside. 'I am not going to walk away; I am going to fight,' he told Sky News earlier today.
Starmer's reasoning is understandable. He believes his 2024 election victory granted him a five-year mandate, affording some latitude for errors and unpopular decisions before steering the country back on course for the 2029 election. Why should he be forced out so soon, given the dire state of the nation he inherited? Previous prime ministers resigned for specific reasons: Theresa May over Brexit, Boris Johnson due to scandals, Liz Truss after her economic policies collapsed. There is little precedent for a leader being ousted simply because of chronic unpopularity.
Yet the issue runs deeper. Critics argue that Starmer lacks a bold political vision, favouring minor adjustments to the status quo when the country craves transformative change. The resignation of Defence Secretary John Healey, who accused the PM of indecision that endangered national security, made Starmer's survival seem almost impossible. Nevertheless, Starmer insists that removing him now would plunge the country into chaos during a volatile geopolitical period.
In today's Sky News interview, Starmer made a final gambit: offering Burnham 'a big role in government' if he wins the by-election. This was a plea to his MPs and party members, a promise to work with a man he is believed to strongly dislike, if only to complete his term. Within hours, the Manchester Evening News quoted a 'senior Labour source' indicating Burnham would reject the offer. If Makerfield goes Burnham's way, he is focused solely on the top job. For Starmer, time is running out.
