Keir Starmer vows to fight any leadership contest saying it is his ‘duty’

Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said that he will fight any leadership contest should one be triggered, insisting he would do so not out of ‘vanity’ but rather ‘duty’.

He made the comments earlier today during an interview with the BBC, after weeks of speculation about his future after a difficult set of local election results in May.

Andy Burnham, who is hoping to return to Parliament next week, should he win the Makerfield by-election, has made clear his intention to challenge Starmer for the leadership. Burnham is believed to be the preferred candidate of the soft left and reportedly also has the numbers to trigger a contest.

Speculation is likely to reach fever pitch next week, should Burnham see off Reform in Makerfield.

Speaking to the BBC today, Starmer said: “I’m not going to walk away, I don’t think we should plunge the country into the chaos of a leadership election.

“I don’t think it should happen, but if it does, I will fight and let me just be clear, that’s not about personal vanity, it’s not about stubborness, it’s out of a very deep sense of duty. I was elected to serve this country, notwithstanding the difficult circumstances, that is what I’m doing.”

Starmer went on to reiterate that he was focused on governing and delivering for the country.

Close to 100 Labour MPs have called for the Prime Minister to resign, with Wes Streeting and more recently Defence Secretary John Healey quitting too, claiming there was a lack of commitment to defence.

The Prime Minister has insisted he’s going nowhere and will fight on.