UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says he’ll stand against Andy Burnham in Labour leadership contest

Sir Keir Starmer has said he will not “walk away” from any potential contest for the Labour leadership. Photo / Getty Images

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has insisted he will stand against Andy Burnham in a future Labour leadership contest.

Burnham is widely expected to move against the Prime Minister in the coming days after the Greater Manchester Mayor won the Makerfield by-election.

Labour secured a 9231 majority and a 54.8% share of the vote on Friday, seeing off Reform candidate Robert Kenyon and paving the way for Burnham to trigger a contest.

Andy Burnham is widely expected to move against UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in the coming days. Photo / AFP

But the Prime Minister, whose premiership was plunged into crisis by Labour’s historic local elections defeat last month, has said he will not “walk away” from any potential race.

Speaking after the result, Sir Keir said: “If there is a contest, then yes, I will stand... I have said repeatedly, I am not going to walk away from that.”

The Prime Minister added that he was still serving Britain and had a “huge amount” to do.

In his acceptance speech, Burnham fired a warning shot at Sir Keir, saying his victory was the “final chance” for Labour to change.

More to come