British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has refused to resign. He told journalists: “If a contest arises, I will stand again. I have no intention of stepping down.”
This comes after Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, won a by-election in Makerfield. Burnham is seen as a potential rival to Starmer, who has lost support from the Labour Party's left wing.
To trigger a leadership contest, Burnham needs the backing of 20% of Labour MPs (currently 81). If he succeeds, party members will vote. If Burnham wins, he would become Prime Minister directly.
Recall that on May 7, local elections saw Labour lose its majority in the Welsh Parliament and 1,400 seats in English councils. Starmer accepted responsibility for the defeat but refused to resign as party leader and PM.
