(Alliance News) - UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said he will be out campaigning for potential leadership challenger Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election.
The prime minister also sought to draw attention to his government's record and away from "all the other discussions that are going on", in apparent reference to the leadership speculation that has dogged his premiership since Labour's local and devolved elections mauling.
Asked whether he would be out supporting Greater Manchester Mayor Burnham's campaign for the June 18 contest, Starmer told reporters on a visit to Essex on Thursday: "Yes, and I've said to the whole Labour movement that I want everybody to be involved in the campaign, whatever other discussions are going on, it's really important – that's a straight fight between Labour and Reform.
"It's about the values that we take into politics, and it's really important that we all pull together and fight in that by-election, as we will do."
He added: "I want to be part of that, of course I do, and I want everybody to be part of that, but also by being clear about the steps we've taken to stabilise the economy, because all of this that we've announced today has only been possible because of the steps we took on the budget, the fact that inflation dropped is because of the steps – that didn't drop out the sky – that's because of the decisions the government took.
"So, we've got a very good story to tell."
Starmer also talked up recent good news when asked whether he was frustrated by the focus on Burnham and former health secretary Wes Streeting's ambitions to oust him.
Calls from Labour MPs for him to go and a slew of resignations, mostly from the junior government ranks, last week threw Starmer's political future into doubt.
He said: "There's been a lot going on in the last two weeks, but what is important for me to draw out is that actually the last week, in terms of what we've delivered, is really significant."
He pointed to recent figures showing the UK's real gross domestic product grew by 0.6% in the first quarter from January to March, falling NHS waiting lists, and a drop in UK net migration to the lowest level since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Prime minister sought to regain control of the political agenda with a series of announcements on the cost of living on Thursday.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set out a cut in the rate of VAT on tickets for theme parks, zoos and museums from 20% to 5% over the summer holidays as part of the package to ease the impact of the Iran war.
Other measures included free bus travel for children during August, a 10p per mile increase in tax-free mileage rates, the cutting of import tariffs on more than 100 types of food products, a GBP350 million critical chemicals resilience fund, and a GBP120 million fund to help the ceramics sector.
Reeves backed Starmer to stay in post and said she expected to be delivering the next budget, in a series of broadcast interviews.
She told Sky News: "The prime minister is getting on with his job in being prime minister, and there is no vacancy. Let's see what happens in the future.
"But Keir Starmer is the prime minister. He has chosen me to be his chancellor, and I'm getting on with my job, delivering for the country and delivering for our prime minister."
In response to Starmer's pledge to campaign for Burnham in the Greater Manchester constituency, a spokesperson for the mayor said: "Anyone who wants to embrace Andy's campaign message is welcome on the campaign."
Allies of Burnham have suggested he may not launch a bid for the top job immediately if he is successful in his attempt to return to Westminster.
But a contest is widely expected after the mayor's call for a "new path" and promise to "change Labour".
The prime minister has previously insisted he will not "walk away" from Downing Street.
Streeting, who quit as health secretary last week calling on the prime minister to go, earlier rolled the pitch for a potential bid by setting out plans for a wealth tax that would see capital gains tax equalised with income tax.
Luke Charters became the latest Labour MP to quit as a government aide.
The MP for York Outer said Labour must be "bolder" and "more confident" as he announced he had resigned as a parliamentary private secretary (PPS) for Business Secretary Peter Kyle in a post on X.
Meanwhile, the Green Party said the candidate it announced just over nine hours earlier for the Makerfield by-election was withdrawing "for personal and family reasons".
Zack Polanski's party said it was re-opening nominations on Thursday evening after Chris Kennedy dropped out.
A Green Party spokesperson said: "We wish Chris the best and understand that family has to come first."
By Sophie Wingate and Nina Lloyd, Press Association Political Staff
source: PA
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