‘Breathtaking arrogance’: Cabinet minister and Andy Burnham ally in brutal live TV clash over ‘toxic’ Starmer

A Cabinet minister brutally clashed with Andy Burnham’s ally in a live TV interview.

Culture Minister Lisa Nandy accused Labor MP Clive Lewis of ‘breathtaking arrogance’ as they traded blows.

The open battle on ITV’s Peston program underlines simmering tensions within the party as Keir Starmer’s grip on power loosens.

As the person in the back row pondered how voters had reacted to Mr Burnham in the Makerfield by-election, Ms Nandy intervened to point out that Mr Burnham had not even taken the seat.

The minister representing nearby Wigan said: ‘You’ve never been! I live there…’

Mr Lewis said Labor was ‘toxic’. ‘You’ve seen the literature, it’s about Andy Burnham, it’s not about Labor because that’s the only way we can win the by-election,’ he said.

When Ms Nandy repeated her objection, clearly annoyed, Mr Lewis said: ‘I’ve got eyes, I’ve got ears, I can read, I can listen.’

Miss Nandy retorted: ‘You can’t listen if you haven’t been to anyone and haven’t talked to anyone.’

As Mr Lewis was considering how voters had reacted to Mr Burnham in the Makerfield by-election, Ms Nandy intervened to point out that he had not even visited the seat.

Mr Lewis, the left-winger who once said he might allow Mr Burnham to become an MP in Norwich, said ‘he will be a candidate tomorrow and I know that for a fact’.

‘Andy Burnham is making progress because he’s a rebel,’ he added, arguing Sir Keir had his chance and failed.

But the minister replied: ‘That’s exactly what I mean about the country being left out of the conversation.

‘You don’t know our community. There is a breathtaking arrogance in talking about what communities think and feel when you’ve never been there and never met one.’

Labor MPs and activists are filling the constituencies as the crucial contest enters its final stages.

A poll last week suggested Mr Burnham was ten points ahead of his Reform rival; but the outcome may depend on whether Right-wing voters leave to support the Restore candidate.

The mayor of Greater Manchester has insisted his campaign is ‘on the right track’.

Westminster’s attention is already turning to what it will do after Mr Burnham’s victory. Although Sir Keir has vowed to keep fighting, he has made little secret of his intention to seek the Labor leadership.

Downing Street plans blizzard event with line-up of people ‘Old’ policies that will improve the Prime Minister’s position workforce MPs. Yesterday Sir Keir He promised that children would be prevented from sending or receiving nude images unless tech companies took action first.

But there appears to be a difference of opinion among Mr Burnham’s allies over the timing of any strike should he win the June 18 by-election.

Angela Rayner fueled speculation she would ally herself with Andy Burnham when she hit the streets of Makerfield at the weekend

Mr Burnham has made little secret of his intention to seek the Labor leadership, despite Sir Keir (pictured) vowing to continue the fight.

Some are urging the former Cabinet minister to seize the initiative immediately, while others say he should wait until he is reinstated in Westminster.

Sir Keir announced at the weekend that he was determined to take on any challenge to his position.

Even if a competition is launched, the Prime Minister will be able to survive without having to receive 80 nominations from MPs; but many doubt he would want to go through the voting process.

Former health minister Wes Streeting has also expressed interest in running.