SIR Keir Starmer yesterday insisted he was still in charge — even as his leadership rivals began openly manoeuvring.
The PM said he was focused on carrying out his duties and still planned to fight the next election.
Sign up for the Politics newsletter
Thank you!
Keir Starmer, above on a visit to a café, insisted he was still in charge Credit: Yui Mok/PA Wire
Andy Burnham has begun jockeying to replace the PM Credit: Reuters
Almost 100 Labour MPs have demanded he quits while Andy Burnham and Wes Streeting have begun jockeying to replace him.
During a visit to small businessess in Kensal Rise, North West London, yesterday Sir Keir said: “I do want to fight the next election.
“The last ten days, there’s been a lot of activity, which hasn’t been as focused in my view as it should have been.
“I remind myself every day that I was elected to office to serve the people, to serve the country.”
LAME DUCK
PM looking like a political lame duck after Lisa Nandy suggested he may step down
ROD LIDDLE
When Keir finally quits and Burnham becomes PM here’s exactly what will happen
“That’s what I believe in, and that’s what I’ll be getting on with.”
It comes as Andy Burnham was accused of shameless flip-flopping last night as he ruled out rejoining the EU if successful in his plot to topple Sir Keir Starmer.
The Labour leadership wannabe vowed to respect the 2016 Brexit result — despite advocating to reverse it eight months ago.
He U-turned as he prepared to contest the Leave-voting seat of Makerfield in a by-election that may pave the way for him to launch a challenge against the PM.
The contest has been consumed by fresh rows over Brexit since Wes Streeting argued that Britain should go back into the EU.
The Manchester Mayor said: “My view is Brexit has been damaging. But I believe the last thing we should do now is re-run those arguments.



