At today’s State Opening of Parliament, Andy Burnham was ridiculed for his blatant bid to return to Westminster to succeed the Prime Minister.
A Labour MP made fun of the mayor of Greater Manchester for his politicking in an attempt to get Sir Keir’s job.
Although he must first get a Commons seat, Mr. Burnham has been connected to a bid against Sir Keir.
He was seen in London yesterday, allegedly to discuss resigning to make room for the guy known as “the King of the North” with lawmakers.
The Commons chamber door was slammed in Black Rod’s face at the State Opening this morning, as is customary, and he had to knock on it three times before being allowed to enter.
A backbench MP inside said, “Not now, Andy,” as he pounded on the door.
Torcuil Crichton, a former journalist and Labour MP for the Scottish seat of Na h-Eileanan an Iar, was accused by three backbench MPs of making the heckle.
Although he must first get a Commons seat, Mr. Burnham has been connected to a bid against Sir Keir. Yesterday, he was seen in London, apparently to meet with MPs.
As is customary, Black Rod had to beat on the Commons chamber door three times before being allowed entry during the State Opening this morning.
A backbench MP inside said, “Not now, Andy,” as he pounded on the door. Torcuil Crichton, the Labour MP for Na h-Eileanan and Iar, was accused by three backbench MPs of making the heckle.
It may take months to find someone ready to give up their seat and hold a by-election, which Mr. Burnham would still need to win, so he might be left swinging in the wind by a leadership struggle to succeed Sir Keir.
Keir Starmer is pleading with MPs not to “sink into the politics of division,” but Wes Streeting is ready to set off the Labour leadership grenade today.
Despite concerns about whether he will remain in No. 10 long enough to carry out the legislative agenda, the PM called for unity as he unveiled the King’s Speech.
However, following a harsh 16-minute discussion with Sir Keir at No. 10 this morning, the Health Secretary reportedly informed allies that he is prepared to step down and launch a challenge as early as tomorrow.
“Yes, it’s happening,” a senior government insider told the Daily Mail. Wes is undoubtedly going for it.
“I don’t see how they can’t after all this briefing,” remarked another Labour aide.
While lawmakers waited for the monarch to come in the Commons, Mr. Streeting was conspicuously absent from the frontbench. Sir Keir was accompanied by Rachel Reeves and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. Later, he showed up behind the Speaker’s chair and went through to the Lords to watch the Speech alongside Tory James Cleverly.
Allies had promised to keep quiet today so as not to humiliate the King, but soon after the fruitless negotiations with Sir Keir, his plans became apparent. The announcement caused government borrowing costs, which are nearing 28-year highs, to spike once more.
