Streeting would 'be prepared' to trigger leadership contest as early as next week

Streeting would 'be prepared' to trigger leadership contest as early as next week 2 hours ago Share Save Add as preferred on Google Kate Whannel and Jennifer McKiernan , Political reporters and Iain Watson , Political correspondent PA Media Wes Streeting has said he would "be prepared" to trigger a Labour leadership contest to replace Sir Keir Starmer as prime minister as early as next week. The former health secretary told BBC Newsnight that "uncertainty and paralysis" in the Labour leadership would have to be resolved if the party wins Thursday's Makerfield by-election. Both Streeting and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham have said they would stand in any contest to replace the prime minister, but previously shied away from saying whether they would trigger such a contest. Speaking to reporters at the G7 summit in France, Sir Keir reiterated his intention "not to walk away" but to "carry on with what I was elected to do". Burnham is standing to return to Parliament in the upcoming Makerfield by-election. If he wins and becomes an MP, he will be able to initiate or join a leadership race - something he is currently unable to do. Asked by BBC Newsnight's Victoria Derbyshire if he would trigger a contest if Burnham wins, Streeting said: "I think the prime minister should be given some space and time to reflect over the weekend and I think we should see where we are then. "I would prefer the PM to take a decision on his own terms rather than leave it for me or Andy or anyone else to trigger a contest. "If not we can't carry on with this uncertainty and paralysis and there will need to be a contest and I would be prepared to do that." Streeting earlier told the BBC he had the backing of the 81 Labour MPs he would need in order to launch a leadership challenge. At an event earlier on Tuesday, the former health secretary said any Labour leadership contest must not become a race of who can offer "the most expensive and popular pledges to the party faithful at the expense of the British people". He told an audience in central London he would not use a leadership campaign to make costly promises that he would have to later reverse. Burnham says he would seek to enter any Labour leadership contest Starmer tells supporters he will fight any leadership contest How would a Labour leadership contest work? Streeting resigned from government last month, accusing the prime minister of "drift" and a lack of vision. In an hour-long speech, he set out his own vision for the economy, seeking to present himself as the financially responsible candidate who would encourage growth and bring taxes down. Polls have suggested that Burnham is more popular with Labour Party members and Streeting himself said he would be the "underdog" in a contest. But the former health secretary seemed keen to sketch out the battleground and strike the first blows, in a "battle of ideas" over the party's future direction. In an apparent dig at his leadership rival, Streeting cautioned a