UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has been signaling a firm political strategy aimed at strengthening his position against potential challengers within the Labour Party.

In recent interviews, including at the G7 summit, he highlighted the implications of a possible Andy Burnham victory in a Manchester mayoral by-election.

Starmer suggested that Burnham’s success could trigger further political vacancies, which he framed as a complication for Labour’s internal dynamics.

He appeared to be urging Burnham to prioritize holding the mayoralty for Labour rather than pursuing a path toward national leadership, the BBC has reported.

Burnham’s allies rejected Starmer’s framing, calling the suggestion of delaying tactics “absolutely ludicrous.”