Keir Starmer aides ‘war-gaming’ leadership contest with Andy Burnham

Allies of Keir Starmer argue that Andy Burnham is unprepared for a leadership challenge. Photograph: House of Commons/PA View image in fullscreen Allies of Keir Starmer argue that Andy Burnham is unprepared for a leadership challenge. Photograph: House of Commons/PA Keir Starmer aides ‘war-gaming’ leadership contest with Andy Burnham Prime minister is ‘hellbent’ on fighting any contest, even if his future may be out of his hands, sources say UK politics live – latest updates Keir Starmer’s closest aides are “war-gaming” how to win a leadership contest ahead of Andy Burnham’s much-anticipated return to Westminster if he wins the Makerfield byelection, the Guardian understands. Downing Street sources said the prime minister had taken the last fortnight to think seriously about his future but was now “hellbent” on fighting any contest. His team is working through various scenarios, including sacking ministers who publicly support Burnham. However, several close allies acknowledged that Starmer’s future may be out of his hands. “Keir may be determined to fight any challenge. But when it comes to it, he might not have a choice. As one former prime minister put it, when the herd moves, it moves,” a loyalist minister said. Is Keir Starmer trying to build a legacy or just getting on with the job? They said Starmer was self-aware enough to stand aside should he get closer to the general election and feel that Labour could not win against Reform with him at the helm, but could with somebody else, but added: “He’s not there yet.” Burnham said last week that he would seek to join any potential Labour leadership contest should he beat Reform in the byelection next week and return to Westminster, but has not ruled out challenging Starmer himself if it should come to it. View image in fullscreen Andy Burnham gives a thumbs up to supporters during a campaign visit to Ashton-in-Makerfield before the byelection. Photograph: Jon Super/APSo the prime minister’s team – despite a degree of scepticism – is preparing. One senior aide said: “Maybe it is over. But if so, Keir’s not going without a fight. Our plan is to be more Harry Truman and less Joe Biden.” Steve Reed, one of the cabinet ministers most loyal to Starmer, said he was convinced the prime minister would fight any leadership contest, and that he should even offer Burnham a job if he wins in Makerfield. “I know how he feels, because we speak to each other, and he is determined to deliver the change that he was elected to deliver,” Reed said. “He led us to one of the biggest landslide victories in our party’s history [four years after becoming leader].