Sir Keir Starmer has urged Andy Burnham not to “throw the country into chaos” by mounting a leadership challenge.
With voters set to go to the polls in the much-anticipated Makerfield by-election on Thursday, the coming days could prove crucial for the Prime Minister’s leadership.
Since launching his campaign, the Mayor of Greater Manchester has made little effort to hide his ambitions of one day moving into No 10.
But speaking this morning, the Prime Minister insisted he would not step aside, pointing to Labour’s landslide win and its five-year mandate to govern.
“I don’t think we should have a challenge, because I think it’ll throw the country into chaos,” he told ITV.
“If there is a challenge, I will fight. I’m not going to walk away from this.
“We won a landslide victory just two years ago with a clear mandate to change the country, that’s a five-year mandate.”
To formally launch a leadership bid, Mr Burnham would need the support of at least 81 MPs before any contest could begin.
