Operation Stop Burnham: Starmer summons ministers to insist he WILL fight for leadership - as allies say it's personal and warn of economic chaos from lurch to Left

By JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 10:11, 9 June 2026 | Updated: 10:21, 9 June 2026 Keir Starmer is ramping up a 'Stop Burnham' campaign as Labour descends deeper into civil war. The PM has been calling in groups of ministers to make clear he will fight any challenge to his leadership. Loyalists have also been warning about the Greater Manchester Mayor's Left-wing economic policies - as tensions rise between the party's factions. Rivals are preparing for hostilities to break into the open assuming Andy Burnham wins the Makerfield by-election on June 18. He has effectively confirmed he will then make a tilt for the top job, although supporters are split over whether to strike immediately or bide his time. However, Sir Keir has been trying to lay down a marker with a series of face-to-face meetings with MPs insisting he will not go quietly.  Keir Starmer is ramping up a 'Stop Burnham' campaign as Labour descends deeper into civil war Angela Rayner stoked speculation of an alliance with Andy Burnham as she took to the streets of Makerfield yesterday Allies have pointed to Mr Burnham's interview last week when he refused to say what the existing fiscal rules are as evidence he cannot be trusted with the economy.  Relations between the premier and Mr Burnham are thought to be frosty, reducing the chances that he will leave No10 voluntarily. Even if a contest is triggered the PM would be able to stand without needing to get 80 nominations from MPs - although many still doubt he would want to go through the humiliating process of hustings this summer.  Former health secretary Wes Streeting has also indicated he wants to be a candidate. Labour MPs and activists have been flooding Makerfield as the critical contest enters its final stages.  They include Angela Rayner, who stoked speculation of an alliance with Mr Burnham. A poll last week suggested Mr Burnham is ten points ahead of his Reform rival, although the outcome could rest on whether Right-wing voters split to back the Restore candidate.  Attention at Westminster is already turning to what Mr Burnham would do after his victory. He has made little secret of his intention to seek the Labour leadership, even though Sir Keir has been vowing to fight on. Sir Keir is plotting a blizzard of activity with a host of 'legacy' policies to improve the PM's standing with Labour MPs.  A Cabinet minister has clashed brutally with a Burnham ally in a live TV interview, as tensions rise. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy accused Labour MP Clive Lewis of 'breathtaking arrogance' as they traded blows on ITV's Peston programme.  The backbencher had been opining on how voters in the Makerfield by-election were responding to Mr Burnham when Ms Nandy jumped in to point out he had not even visited the seat. Your browser does not support iframes. The minister - who represents nearby Wigan - said: 'You've never been! I live there...' Mr Lewis said Labour was 'toxic'. 'You've seen the literature, it's Andy Burnham, it's not about the Labour Party because it's the only way we're going to win the by-election,' he said. When a clearly incensed Ms Nandy repeated her objection, Mr Lewis said: 'I've got eyes, I've got ears, I can read, I can listen.' Ms Nandy shot back: 'Well you can't listen if you haven't been and spoken to anyone.' Is Labour heading for disaster if it swings further left under Andy Burnham¿s leadership? What's your view?LabourAndy BurnhamKeir Starmer Share or comment on this article: Operation Stop Burnham: Starmer summons ministers to insist he WILL fight for leadership - as allies say it's personal and warn of economic chaos from lurch to Left e-mail Add comment window.articleShortUrl = 'https://mol.im/a/15884939'; adverts.addTaboolaPosition({ position: "thumbnail", id: "taboola-below-article-thumbnails" }) adverts.addTaboolaPosition({ position: "afterArticle", id: "taboola-below-main-column" }) DM.later('bundle', function (){ DM.SHOUT = {}; DM.SHOUT.shoutChannels = '{"disabledMolShout":false,"disabledChannels":[]}'; DM.SHOUT.isOldArticle = false; }); DM.later('bundle', function (){ DM.has("reader-comments", "ReaderComments", { gplusClientId: '746589970956-e10ciaf67a1id9ggu75ph3ds0sthn7j6.apps.googleusercontent.com', total: 61, offset: 0, allowNewComments: true , moderated: false }); }); Comments 61 Share what you think The comments below have not been moderated. 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