MAIL ON SUNDAY COMMENT: PM saw off Burnham – but his problems are only just beginning

As Sir Keir Starmer returns to Britain from his ‘bait’ trip to China, he is reminded of an old Chinese curse: May you live in interesting times.

Even without ever-expanding global crises, from Ukraine to Greenland, from Venezuela to Iran, the Prime Minister faces domestic crises in almost every area, not least his survival as Prime Minister.

If he thought putting Andy Burnham back in his box by denying him the right to stand in the Gorton and Denton by-election last week would somehow secure his position as Prime Minister, then Sir Keir will have another thing coming.

Our revelation that Angela Rayner has built a multimillion-pound war chest is an indication that challengers from all wings of the party are ready to attack her.

All three of the most likely candidates claim to have the support of 81 MPs needed to force a leadership race.

As well as Mr Burnham, Health Minister Wes Streeting seems to be finding new ways every week to confirm his candidacy for a vacancy that doesn’t yet exist – without ever actually announcing he will take the job.

Now in the spotlight is Angela Rayner, whose forced resignation over unpaid stamp duty has given her the time and determination to plan her bid for the top job.

The maneuvers of Labor MPs may lead to political intrigue, but all this unrest and uncertainty is disastrous for the country.

Party’s civil war deepens over NEC decision to block Andy Burnham from taking seat

It’s bad enough that Sir Keir is one of the most spineless leaders our country has ever known, making a U-turn at the first sign of pressure and pretending he has no idea why he actually wants to be Prime Minister.

But when the world is in crisis and there are so many domestic problems that require urgent action, we need a Prime Minister with clear purpose and determination to get things right.

Instead, what we have is one that is so flexible that many of its own MPs are no longer willing to defend government policy because they have no idea from one day to the next when the next U-turn will come.

It now seems almost certain that all of this will come to a head after May’s local elections, in which Labor is expected to take a heavy hit.

So it’s no surprise that Labor MPs are already talking and considering alternative leaders.

But they need to be careful what they wish for. Angela Rayner’s rise to the Cabinet may be an impressive personal example of social mobilization, but if she became Prime Minister she would pursue a more Left-wing agenda than previous British governments.

Angela Rayner has reportedly amassed a multimillion-pound war chest as she prepares for a tough fight for Labour’s top job

Health Minister Wes Streeting also seems to be finding new ways to confirm his candidacy for a vacant position every week, without ever making it clear that he is going to work.

It is widely believed that Ed Miliband will become Chancellor; as if the problem with economics today is that Rachel Reeves isn’t left-wing enough.

Reform already has a double-digit poll lead over Labor. Angela Rayner becoming Prime Minister would be one of the greatest gifts imaginable to Reformation.

What we now have is a Prime Minister who, as one MP put it, is seen as too toxic to campaign in the crucial Gorton and Denton by-elections.

It is almost impossible to see how Sir Keir recovered. And if Labor loses the seat to Reform later this month, it could put pressure on Keir Starmer to end his leadership from May.