Scottish Labour MPs not told to back Sarwar on PM resignation call, as leadership crisis intensifies
Both Wes Streeting and Andy Burnham have publicly announced they intend to challenge Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader after disastrous election results.
Anas Sarwar did not ask Scottish Labour MPs to back him when he called for Sir Keir Starmer to resign, as speculation increases on who will replace him as Prime Minister.
Sir Keir is so far resisting calls to stand down, despite both former health secretary Wes Streeting and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham both publicly announcing their intentions to challenge him for leadership.
Around 100 Labour MPs have publicly called for Sir Keir to resign, including Glasgow South West MP Dr Zubir Ahmed, who resigned as junior health minister last week.
Dr Ahmed, who is an ally of Mr Streeting, said he was not asked to back Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar when he called for the Prime Minister to resign, but has now changed his mind following the disastrous election results in Scotland.
Mr Sarwar led Scottish Labour to its worst Holyrood election result since devolution, finishing with just 17 MSPs.
When asked by BBC The Sunday Show he did not follow Mr Sarwar’s calls at the time, he said: “At that point I felt the Prime Minister could still turn things around.
“I needed to afford him the opportunity.”
However he said it was “clear to anyone watching” that Sir Keir’s speech to rally the troops last Monday “that was no longer possible”.
He added: “Anas was clear it was his personal opinion he was articulating and told Scottish ministers to stay in their posts, but Anas’s opinion has come to fruition.”
Dr Ahmed also said there is no appetite for replacing Mr Sarwar as Scottish Labour. He said: “He stabilised the party, then delivered 37 Labour MPs in 2024, of which I am one.
“I think there is no mood at the moment for a leadership contest in Scotland, while we’re trying to work out more broadly where the Labour government goes.”
Dr Ahmed said he would back Mr Streeting in a potential leadership contest as he has shown “real leadership” as health secretary and wants to take “bold steps on NHS reform and getting to a place where people feel democracy is working for them”.
Meanwhile Mr Burnham is expected to stand in the Makerfield by-election so he can re-enter the House of Commons and challenge Sir Keir for leadership.
He told BBC Sundays with Laura Kuenssberg: “It was not an easy thing to do and I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t believe it was in the best interests of the Labour Party and the country.
“I’ve been on the ground in the last two days and people broadly agree.
“Some say ‘it’s a bit of a risk, what if you lose?’, but most people say it’s a chance to be at the heart of history and change the Labour Party for good by sending someone to Westminster who has a big agenda for change.”
Mr Simons said Labour is currently facing an “existential crisis”, and Mr Burnham would move the party further to the left by nationalising numerous public services.
Mr Simons also denied reports in The Sun on Sunday that he had decided to step down a year ago, saying he only made the decision this week after discussing it with his wife.
Reports said he had been spotted having a drink with Mr Burnham last summer to discuss the idea.
At the 2024 general election, Labour won Makerfield with a 5,399 majority. However, Nigel Farage’s Reform UK is growing in popularity in the north of England, winning 50 per cent of the vote share in this area at the English local elections.
Allies of Mr Burnham say he has enough personal support in Greater Manchester to see off any competition from Reform UK, demonstrated by his three successive landslide victories.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy is one of those who has been campaigning for Mr Burnham, despite saying she still backs Sir Keir as Prime Minister. She told BBC Sundays with Laura Kuenssberg: “I wouldn’t write off the prime minister.”
She said Mr Burnham should be “back in parliament at the heart of power”, and added: “Because of Andy’s record as mayor, people who didn’t vote for us last week were saying they would vote for us again.
“That’s why I make no apology for saying that I think he is a really important voice that needs to be heard loud and clear at the centre of Westminster.”
Any MP who wants to challenge Sir Keir for leadership would need the backing of at least 81 Labour MPs to do so. If a leadership contest is triggered, Sir Keir would automatically be allowed to stand.
Ms Nandy said it is a “personal decision” for Sir Keir on whether or not he fights a potential leadership contest. When asked if she thinks he should be replaced, she said: “No I don’t - if I did I wouldn’t be in his cabinet.”
Ms Nandy said a female Labour leader is “long overdue” and expressed frustration that all those in the running so far are men, but ruled out standing in any contest.
The Wigan MP told Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips: “It’s not just lost on me that I’m being interviewed by a man, being asked to give my views about several men in the Labour Party, who I’m clearly not a spokesperson for.
“I’m sorry if I’m coming across as a bit irritated.”
She added: “I did try to fix that in 2019 … I think a woman leader is long overdue.”
Ms Nandy later told BBC Sundays with Laura Kuenssberg: “I said at the time never again - I can’t say it’s an enormously enjoyable experience.”
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.