Keir Starmer is facing a deepening Labour crisis after reports claimed he may try to neutralise Andy Burnham’s leadership threat by offering him a senior role in government.
The Prime Minister is under growing pressure as speculation intensifies around Burnham’s expected return to Westminster through the Makerfield by-election. The Greater Manchester Mayor is widely seen as one of the few Labour figures with enough public profile and internal support to seriously challenge Starmer’s leadership.
In an apparent attempt to calm the situation, Starmer has suggested Burnham could be a “huge asset” to Labour and may have a major role to play in government. But critics inside Westminster have interpreted the move very differently. To them, it looks less like unity and more like a desperate attempt to buy time.
The crisis has been made even more explosive by claims that senior Labour figures are preparing for a possible leadership showdown. Some ministers are reportedly considering whether resignations could force Starmer into a decision if he refuses to step aside voluntarily.
Ed Miliband has also been pulled into the drama. Reports claim relations between the Energy Secretary and Starmer have become increasingly strained, with suggestions that Miliband has been aligned with figures who believe Labour needs a new direction. Some allies of Burnham are said to view Miliband as a possible Chancellor in a future Burnham-led government.
Downing Street has tried to project confidence, insisting Starmer is ready to fight any leadership challenge rather than walk away. The Prime Minister has argued that he remains focused on governing, rebuilding public trust and delivering on Labour’s promises.
But the mood inside the party appears increasingly fragile. The possibility of Burnham entering Parliament has turned what was once background gossip into a serious political threat. If Burnham wins Makerfield, pressure could build quickly from MPs who believe Labour needs a different face at the top before the next election.
Wes Streeting has also been mentioned as another potential challenger, adding further uncertainty to the situation. That means Starmer could find himself squeezed not only by Burnham’s supporters, but by other senior figures who believe the party cannot continue in its current state.
For Labour, the timing could hardly be worse. Instead of presenting a united government, the party is now battling headlines about plots, resignations, rival camps and possible deals behind closed doors.
The reported offer of a Cabinet role for Burnham may be intended to show generosity and party unity. But it also risks making Starmer look vulnerable, as though he is trying to contain a rival who may soon be too powerful to ignore.
The question now is whether Starmer can survive the summer — or whether Labour’s internal war is about to turn into a full-blown leadership battle.
