After Christmas, the expectation was that Keir Starmer’s position as Labour leader and UK prime minister would come under pressure in May, after Scottish and Welsh parliamentary elections. The decision on Sunday by Labour’s ruling national executive committee (NEC) to block Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham from contesting a Westminster byelection in his area is a big gamble by Starmer’s allies, who are stacked on the committee. Starmer’s allies argue that the risk to him of letting Burnham run was even bigger. [ Keir Starmer’s allies launch ‘Stop Andy Burnham’ campaign to block parliamentary returnOpens in new window ]As a result, Burnham has approval ratings of which Starmer could only dream. By blocking him, Starmer’s allies have arguably made the prime minister look insecure and weak.

Source: The Irish Times January 25, 2026 17:18 UTC