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Millie Cooke, Political Correspondent
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Millie Cooke, Political Correspondent
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The build-up to Makerfield begins
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After last week’s chaos, Westminster seems comparatively quiet today. The immediate danger for Sir Keir Starmer appears to have subsided and MPs are now settling in for a long month of leadership jostling in the build up to the Makerfield by-election, where Andy Burnham is widely expected to stand in what is seen by many to be a referendum on the prime minister's authority.
Speaking at a conference in Leeds on Monday, Mr Burnham delivered his pitch to voters, saying that a vote for him was a “vote to change Labour - because Labour needs to change if we're to regain people's trust”. He also struck a clear dividing line with leadership rival Wes Streeting, who at the weekend said Britain should rejoin the EU. Instead, the Greater Manchester mayor called for Labour to avoid the damaging Brexit arguments of the past.
As the jostling amongst leadership hopefuls began, Sir Keir Starmer, however, attempted to force unity on his own party. The beleaguered PM came out in support of Mr Burnham, saying he would be “backing 100 per cent” whoever the candidate is. He also called on the whole party for support in Makerfield, arguing that “whatever views people may have on the direction of the party, that needs to be put to one side” so Labour can come together to campaign.
And finally, in typical Starmer fashion, he once again dug his heels in on the possibility of his own resignation, insisting that he would not “walk away”. No doubt the prime minister will be forced to make that point a number of times over the coming month.
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How exactly would Britain rejoin the EU? Here, we take a look at the process for doing so, and how easy (or difficult) it would be to get the public on side.
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What else you need to know
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- Jacob Rees-Mogg has called for the Conservatives and Reform UK to “work together” to defeat Andy Burnham in the upcoming Makerfield by-election.
- Rachel Reeves is said to be preparing to abandon a planned increase in fuel duty as costs continue to soar as a result of the conflict in the Middle East.
- Labour might hope that Reform’s incompetence at a local level and a new leader in place will be enough to win back the North, but there is one big flaw in that calculation, writes Colin Drury.
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What if Makerfield voters tell Burnham to jog on?
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John Rentoul, Chief Political Commentator
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John Rentoul, Chief Political Commentator
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I stuck my neck out at the weekend, writing that I thought Burnham would lose the by-election, partly because of his desire to rejoin the EU and his support for relatively high immigration, and partly because he is abandoning his promise to serve the people of Greater Manchester to further his ambition.
I am not confident in my prediction, because there are good reasons for thinking he can win, but if he does lose it would leave the government much weakened.
Read the whole thing here.
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For the best insider stories and behind-the-scenes gossip from Westminster, sign up for my weekly Commons Confidential newsletter, available exclusively to Independent Premium subscribers.
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Starmer, Burnham, Streeting or Rayner? Tell us who should lead Labour
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With Labour descending into fresh infighting over Brexit, leadership manoeuvring and fears of a growing threat from Nigel Farage and Reform UK, our latest poll asks readers who they believe should shape the party’s future.
Here’s what you had to say:
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Starmer is doing an excellent job and making good progress in very difficult circumstances. His earlier mistakes are water under the bridge and we are still here. Burnham is no superhero with all the answers, and, more importantly, all the resources. Streeting has already shot himself in the foot. Rayner is a supporting act, nothing more.
Frankie
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I'm no longer a member of the Labour party, so I have no vote in the actual leadership contest. I voted for Burnham in this survey, but only as the least bad option on the list.
KirthGersen
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Streeting, Burnham, Rayner: Coming for Starmer's job? |
We analyse the political manoeuvring of a thrilling few days in Westminster and give our advice to the runners and riders lining up to replace the Labour leader.
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Streeting, Burnham, Rayner: Coming for Starmer's job? |
We analyse the political manoeuvring of a thrilling few days in Westminster and give our advice to the runners and riders lining up to replace the Labour leader.
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Latest news headlines from Bulletin: |
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