British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will stand if a leadership contest is triggered, a senior minister said on Sunday, after media reported Starmer had contacted key backers insisting he would run in any race.
This came after popular Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham, who is standing in a key by-election this month, said last week he would participate in any leadership race, although none has yet been triggered.
Starmer “has been absolutely clear – were there to be a contest – you need 81 signatures [from MPs] to launch a contest – he will be part of that contest,” Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said on Sunday.
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The prime minister would automatically be included in any leadership ballot if he wanted to participate.
The BBC and The Sun newspaper reported on Sunday, citing unnamed MPs, that Starmer has been calling key supporters this weekend to say that if there is a contest he would “fight it”.
The Sun reported: “Sir Keir has hardened his position and is hell-bent on running against Mr Burnham.”