Analysis: Has Starmer done enough to save his premiership?

Analysis: Has Starmer done enough to save his premiership?23 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleHenry Zeffman,Chief political correspondent,Chris Mason,Political editor,Iain Watson,Political correspondentandNick Eardley,Political correspondentPA MediaWas it enough?That is the question that matters after Sir Keir Starmer's speech.Was it enough to avert a challenge to the prime minister's leadership less than two years after he won a landslide general election victory?In the first instance, the person whose answer to that question matters most - and this would have sounded like a strange joke just two days ago - is Catherine West.West, until the last 48 hours a relatively unknown former minister, told the BBC on Saturday night she was willing to try to force a leadership contest if no one else came forward.But having heard the prime minister's speech, she is standing down from running as a stalking horse candidate and trying to trigger a formal leadership contest right now.A sigh of relief, in the immediate moment at least, for Downing Street - and for the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, as she is now advocating that the prime minister sets out a timetable for his departure, rather than leaving immediately. Burnham needs time to get back to Westminster first.Those who have been organising the pro-Burnham push (or putsch) were concerned over the weekend that a swift contest would exclude him, as he is not an MP and needs to find a seat and win a by-election to be eligible.So they tried to persuade West to abandon her plan, and adopt their own instead – and they see her statement today as a big win for them.Labour MP backs down from leadership challenge but calls on Starmer to go by SeptemberBritish Steel nationalisation plans announced by StarmerElection results at a glanceIn the room for the prime minister's speech, the jeopardy hung heavy. It was packed with loyalists willing Sir Keir on. It felt a little like a speech Iain Du...