Starmer Allies Accused Of Plot Against Burnham

Tensions inside Britain’s Labour Party escalated Monday after supporters of Andy Burnham claimed figures close to Prime Minister Keir Starmer were attempting to undermine Burnham’s expected candidacy in the upcoming Makerfield by-election.

According to The Independent , Labour MPs have been privately warned that Burnham could shift the party back toward the left and even help former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn return to influence if he eventually became party leader.

Burnham allies described the alleged briefings as a “dirty tricks campaign” designed to weaken his growing position inside the party as Starmer faces mounting criticism after poor local election results earlier this month.

Burnham Seen As Leadership Threat

The Makerfield by-election has rapidly become one of the most politically significant contests in Britain because it could provide Burnham with a route back to Westminster and potentially position him for a future leadership challenge.

Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester and former Labour cabinet minister, has increasingly been discussed as a possible successor to Starmer amid rising frustration inside Labour over polling declines and the growing popularity of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party.

Labour’s National Executive Committee last week formally allowed Burnham to seek selection for the by-election after earlier blocking his attempt to contest the Gorton and Denton by-election in January.

That earlier decision triggered backlash from several senior Labour figures, including Angela Rayner and Lucy Powell, who argued Burnham should have been allowed to return to Parliament.

Labour Divisions Deepen

The latest dispute highlights widening ideological and personal divisions inside Labour as Starmer struggles to contain growing leadership speculation.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy insisted Sunday that Starmer was not preparing to resign and warned Labour MPs against destabilizing the government through internal conflict.

But reports of private briefings against Burnham intensified concerns among his allies that Downing Street could attempt to “soft-play” support for his campaign by avoiding full mobilisation of Labour MPs during the by-election.

Some Labour strategists also fear Burnham’s candidacy could expose deep splits over Brexit, public ownership and Labour’s political direction. Burnham recently called for greater public control over energy and water services while distancing himself from demands to rejoin the European Union.

By-Election Seen As Critical Test

Political analysts say the Makerfield contest could become a defining moment for Labour because the party now faces a serious challenge from Reform UK in areas once considered traditional Labour strongholds.

The by-election is expected to take place next month and could effectively become a referendum on Starmer’s leadership as well as Burnham’s national ambitions.

Despite the growing speculation, Burnham has not formally announced any leadership plans and continues publicly insisting his focus remains on winning the by-election and helping Labour reconnect with working-class voters.