Starmer’s Popularity Plummets: Labour Mayor Andy Burnham ‘Doesn’t Want PM’ in Crucial By-Election Campaign

A major rift has emerged within the Labour Party, with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s team reportedly urging Downing Street to keep Sir Keir Starmer away from the Makerfield by-election campaign, according to the Daily Mail. This comes as Starmer’s popularity hits “rock bottom” and Labour MPs openly refuse to campaign for their own candidate.

Labour Infighting Exposed

Andy Burnham’s campaign team is locked in a direct standoff with Downing Street over Sir Keir Starmer’s proposed visit to the Makerfield constituency. No 10 insists the Prime Minister will visit to support the Labour candidate, but an ally of Mr Burnham told the Daily Mail: “We keep telling them that we don’t want him in Makerfield but they keep trying to foist him on us. It’s the last thing we need.”

This internal conflict highlights deep divisions, especially after Labour lost a by-election in Gorton and Denton in February, finishing third behind the Greens and Reform UK, despite Starmer campaigning there. Mr Burnham himself confirmed this week he is “trying to change Labour” because it is “out of touch”, signalling a leadership challenge.

Starmer’s Popularity Crisis Deepens

Sir Keir Starmer’s approval ratings are at an all-time low, with Labour MPs complaining he was “detested on the doorstep” during last month’s local elections, the Daily Mail reported. This has led to a significant number of Labour MPs loyal to Starmer reportedly refusing to campaign for Mr Burnham in Makerfield.

One Labour MP told PoliticsHome there is “great confusion” and that “people feel like they are being asked to take part in an act of self-harm.” While some, like former health secretary Wes Streeting, have campaigned, others are only reluctantly agreeing to “show their face” or make phone calls instead of appearing on the ground.

• Andy Burnham’s team actively trying to block Sir Keir Starmer from campaigning in Makerfield.
• Starmer’s popularity described as “rock bottom” by Labour MPs.
• Labour MPs reportedly refusing to campaign for their own candidate in the by-election.
• Business Secretary Peter Kyle issued a veiled warning against Burnham, criticising those who “thrust themselves forward at moments of instability.”
• Labour previously finished third behind Greens and Reform UK in a by-election where Starmer campaigned.

What This Means for Britain

This internal Labour Party turmoil signals deep instability at the heart of the government, distracting from the pressing issues facing ordinary British families.

The refusal of Labour MPs to campaign for their own candidate, combined with Starmer’s low approval ratings, suggests a party struggling to connect with the public and maintain internal cohesion.

For your family, this infighting means less focus on the cost of living crisis, rising energy bills, and the state of public services, as the government is preoccupied with its own leadership battles.

The explicit rejection of Starmer by a prominent Labour figure like Andy Burnham undermines the government’s authority and public confidence in its ability to lead effectively.

This situation also highlights the growing influence of parties like Reform UK, which are seen as viable alternatives when the mainstream parties are perceived as out of touch or internally divided.

The by-election result in Makerfield will be a critical test, not just for Labour’s candidate, but for Starmer’s leadership and the future direction of the Labour government.

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This article is a factual summary of reporting by The Daily Mail. Full original story available on their website. All quotes directly attributed.

Source: Daily Mail | Breaking Brexit News