Labour civil war rages as MPs demand halt to ‘endless drama’ | Politics | News
Labor MPs have demanded an end to the “endless drama” of leadership speculation ahead of an expected local election bloodbath.
Backbenchers have told how briefings on how and when Sir Keir Starmer could be ousted are stalling voters who don’t like the Conservatives mixing up leaders while in Government.
One MP said: “All people want is a working government, not endless drama.
They added: “We are in a very challenging global situation and having this endless conversation about who can have a certain number of supporters feels extremely self-indulgent.”
Another told the Guardian: “It’s been less than a week since the election and we’re getting briefings from some of the candidates every day.” “When people are really worried about the cost of living, nothing makes a party look more irrelevant than this amount of self-indulgence.”
Sir Keir will fight to save his premiership after an expected loss of more than 1,000 council seats on Thursday.
Andy Burnham’s allies have asked Sir Keir’s senior staff to remain in No 10 if the Prime Minister is ousted, the Telegraph newspaper reports.
Those on the Manchester Mayor’s side are said to be taking different approaches as part of plans to ensure any transition of power goes smoothly.
His allies have reportedly begun discussing plans for his first days in Downing Street, including potential staff recruitment.
Former Deputy Chancellor Angela Rayner and Health Secretary Wes Streeting are also said to be maneuvering for the senior position in the Labor Party.
Labor deputy leader Lucy Powell, a close friend of Mr Burnham, warned MPs there was “no magic bullet” to cure Labour’s ills.
He also refused to tell the Guardian whether Sir Keir was the right leader to deliver the change the people are demanding.
“There’s no magic wand for us here. We’re in a tough world,” he said in an interview on the campaign trail in Leeds, where the party faced off against both Reform and the Greens in different parts of the city.
“I firmly believe we have the right agenda to turn this around. To give people hope, opportunity, and see change in their communities.”
But when asked whether Sir Keir was the right leader to make it happen, Ms Powell said: “I’m not going to get into that. I don’t think there’s anyone who can change that.” [will affect] all these situations. We still need to tackle these big problems, and we need to do it the right way, with the right values. “Having side conversations about staff and people, I think, misses the point.”
