Labour MPs demand Burnham ‘coronation’ as PM with ministers set to urge Starmer to quit

Labor MPs are clamoring for Andy Burnham to be crowned prime minister after his stunning victory in the Makerfield by-election to avoid a protracted leadership battle that could destroy the party’s general election hopes.

Ministers told Independent They are calling for meetings to be held for Sir Keir Starmer to set a timetable for his resignation, making way for the former Manchester mayor to take the keys to No 10. Cabinet members including Ed Miliband and Shabana Mahmood have previously told them to do so.

But the stubborn Keir Starmer refused to resign and made clear he would oppose any leadership contest, calling on the party to “get its act together” and “avoid plunging the country into chaos”.

After defeating Nigel Farage’s Reform with almost 55 per cent of the vote, Mr Burnham vowed to “pave a new path for Britain” by prioritizing the economy, re-industrialisation and education at his victory rally, where he was greeted enthusiastically by a cheering crowd of supporters.

He said his landslide victory was the “last chance to save Labour” after the party recorded poor voting results following its victory in the 2024 general election under Sir Keir.

Mr Burnham promised an end to “trickle-down” economics and an “unfair” immigration system, and pledged to push for the re-industrialization of British cities, use public tenders to develop British businesses and provide work placements for all young people aged 16 to 18.

He said people were “not giving me a blank cheque” and added: “We need an economy that works for everyone, not just a few in far-flung places. It’s time we supported British business and industry.”

But Sir Keir has made it clear he will get nowhere without pushing himself and still plans to fight for the leadership election.

“Let’s unite as a party and a movement. The only thing we should not do is to turn our party and our country into chaos by turning against each other and tearing our party and movement apart. This has never worked. This is what the last government did. We need to learn this lesson.”

Although internal Labor polling in Makerfield suggested the prospect of Mr Burnham replacing Sir Keir was the top reason people voted for him, Sir Keir sought to take credit for the fact that Reformation was “running away”.

Meanwhile, ministers confirmed they will tell Sir Keir he should resign.

Former cabinet minister Louise Haigh, a key aide to Mr Burnham, has also called for him to go. “People in Makerfield have shown that they don’t want Reform, they want Labor to change, they want hope and optimism,” he added.

Representations are also expected to be made to former health secretary Wes Streeting to strike a deal with Mr Burnham rather than pushing his own planned leadership bid.

Mr Burnham’s 10,000-vote margin of victory in Makerfield eliminated talk of the need for a Labor leadership contest in the minds of many Labor MPs and figures who are now calling for the “crowning” of the so-called “King in the North”.

Kim Johnson, MP for Liverpool Riverside, said: “A coronation is now absolutely necessary. But what is more important is that we consider restoring Labor democracy, the broad church in the party and ending factionalism.”

Karl Turner, who was suspended from Labor for opposing plans to scrap the right to a jury trial but is expected to be brought back by Mr Burnham, said: “Keir Starmer is not ready for this. There needs to be a coronation.”

Labor MP Alex Sobel said: “Andy Burnham has proven his credibility in putting forward a vision that Labor voters can rally around; the prime minister must consider what is best for the country and this is now clearly required for an orderly transition of power that will allow Labor members to elect a new leader.”

A Labor MP on the party’s right, who plans to sit on a different candidate’s leadership team, admitted: “I think a coronation looks very likely at the moment but I’m not sure what it will look like.”

Former shadow chancellor John McDonnell broke down in tears as he listened to Mr Burnham’s victory speech on LBC. He said: “Keir [Starmer] must accept that it is time to move on. “Let’s plan this correctly, let’s not divide the party, let’s try to do this with some dignity, in a way that we call camaraderie in the party.”

Another member of parliament told Independent: “It’s over for Keir now, we just need to make a change with minimal fuss. Andy’s win and the gap makes it inevitable that he will now be the leader.”

Another said: “Wes [Streeting] We need to make a deal with Burnham so we don’t have to engage in a protracted rivalry and we can continue to manage.

Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair’s former communications director, added: “These are not normal times and it was not a normal byelection. Pressure is mounting on Keir Starmer as MPs see in Burnham the possibility of stopping the Reformation and reversing the mood of pessimism. A 23 per cent swing since the May locals and the biggest byelection turnout gap since 1958! It should not be ignored. Courage has been rewarded.”

Meanwhile, union leaders, some of Labour’s biggest supporters, have also pressed for rapid change. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Andy Burnham’s victory at Makerfield is a beacon of hope but it should not be perceived as a commercial mission.

“It is clear that there must now be a regular timetable for leadership elections and that Keir Starmer must do the right thing and resign.”

FBU general secretary Steve Wright added: “Andy now has the mandate to take on Farage and break with austerity by adopting policies that will tax the super-rich to properly fund public services and pay workers.”