𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has warned Keir Starmer’s leadership rivals to avoid turning Labour into a “self-indulgent debating society” in the wake of the local elections.

She insisted thatthose pushing for the Prime Minister to “reapply for his job” need to “give their heads a wobble”.

Speaking on Sky News, she added that the public would not “thank us if the Labour Party turned into some sort of self-indulgent debating society” by replacing Sir Keir.

Ms Alexander urged her party not to “repeat the mistakes that the Conservative government made in churning through prime ministers” and says people thinking of changing the leader “probably do need to give their head a gentle wobble at the moment”.

It comes as reports suggest Andy Burnham has a plan to return to Westminster “within weeks” in a bid to challenge Sir Keir.

The Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester has identified several seats where MPs are prepared to step aside, triggering a by-election which could pave the way for his return to Parliament, The Guardian newspaper said.

The newspaper also reported Mr Burnham’s supporters are attempting to avoid a formal leadership challenge against the Prime Minister, and hope to kickstart a process for him to stand down after what are expected to be disastrous results for Labour in the May 7 elections.

The Daily Telegraph, meanwhile, reported that Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, is also planning a bid to unseat the Prime Minister.

Mr Streeting has gained the support of more than 81 MPs for his leadership challenge, according to the newspaper. The number is the minimum required for a leadership challenge to take place.

Setting out his his case in The Observer, Sir Keir said: “We have a choice. We could sink into the politics of grievance and division. Or we could rise to this moment – together – in a national effort that matches the scale of the threats and turbulence we face.

“I am talking about a national mission to become a stronger, more resilient, and more united nation, allowing us to take control of our future, raise our sights, and reach towards something better.

“When the nation rallied together to deal with Covid, the last government could have channelled that spirit to build a better nation.

“But instead, they descended into political infighting and let the country slump back to the old status quo. Not this time.”