Starmer Stops Burnham But Rivals Say It Only Delays His Fate

Keir Starmer’s rivals were looking for a pretext to mount a leadership challenge. The prime minister blocked one potential contender at the weekend but in doing so may have given others a reason to strike.

Allies of Starmer on Sunday barred Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from standing as Labour’s candidate at the Gorton and Denton by-election scheduled for Feb. 26, leaving him no clear route to parliament. Without a seat, he cannot go after the premier’s job.