Politics latest: Burnham allies accuse Streeting of sabotage over call for UK to rejoin EU

David Lammy said Labour would be in “desperate trouble” and “ushering in” Nigel Farage if it continues with weeks of further introspection.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that Labour set out its positions in its manifesto 22 months ago as he dismissed questions about potential leadership challengers Wes Streeting and Andy Burnham’s policy positions.

“This is not a sixth form debate, it is delivery on behalf of the British people,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

He added: “Our position was set out in a manifesto voted on by the British people… that was just 22 months ago. There will be another opportunity at the next election.

“We have to get on and deliver on their behalf, and I say to colleagues, 10 days of this, fine. I think the British people will forgive us for the introspection.

“Ten weeks of this, and we’re in desperate trouble. We’ll be out of office, and what we’ll be ushering in is Farage.”

David Lammy said he was “sad” that Wes Streeting left government and likened his resignation to ministerial departures under Sir Tony Blair, Gordon Brown and Margaret Thatcher.

Asked whether he agreed with the former health secretary’s position on the EU, the Deputy Prime Minister told LBC: “Well, let me say, I was really sad that Wes Streeting, he decided to leave the government. This happens to prime ministers.

“I remember when Michael Heseltine did it, James Purnell did it to Gordon Brown back in the day. Tony Blair had Robin Cook and others resign. Once you resign, you’re free to say what you want. In government, you’re subject to collective responsibility.”

David Lammy said “I believe in loyalty” and urged Labour to move on from the “introspection” of the last 10 days, warning that if it continues for the next 10 weeks, the party would lose the next election.

The Deputy Prime Minister told BBC Breakfast: “Let me just spell out to you very clearly – I believe in loyalty, I believe in trust, I believe in conviction.

“That was a pledge I made to Keir Starmer back in 2019. I spoke to him twice yesterday, I stand by him, the mandate he got from the British people.

“Let us get back on the pitch after 10 days of introspection and infighting.”

Asked whether the Prime Minister would fight any contest, he said: “He’s been crystal clear he fights on, on behalf of the British people, delivering in Government.

“He has my full support.”

Sir Keir Starmer may be planning on campaigning for his leadership rival Andy Burnham in the by-election that could pave his way to ousting him from No 10, David Lammy has appeared to suggest.

The deputy prime minister said he himself would “of course” be campaigning with Mr Burnham, adding it “would be great to have him back in parliament”.

Asked if the prime minister would be going to campaign, he told the BBC: “All of us in cabinet will be campaigning to ensure that there is a Labor win in Makerfield.”

Pushed again on whether Sir Keir could be campaigning for Mr Burnham, he said: “Look, we have to get back to being one united team, we’ve had ten days of introspection. Let us now put that to one side. Let us unite to fight this by-election and to deliver on behalf of the British people.”

David Lammy has refused to say whether he wanted to rejoin the EU, insisting the Government is “absolutely committed” to its manifesto red lines.

The Deputy Prime Minister told Sky News: “We set red lines in the manifesto that we are absolutely committed to.

“I see now that there’s a debate about the next election. I’m not going to make a commitment about the next election and the next manifesto.”

Asked whether he would personally like to rejoin, he said: “I’m committed to collective responsibility. The manifesto we stood on. Wes Streeting has left the Government, he can have a debate, he can comment, that is not my position.”

He added: “I think we should remember that we are in Government and the British people won’t thank us for debates and comments, they want delivery.

“Delivery is what they want to see.”

David Lammy has said the Labour has scored a “spectacular own goal” in the last ten days as party infighting sparked chaos in the government.

Speaking to Sky News, the deputy prime minister urged his party to “remember our responsibilities as a government” in the wake of the fallout of the local elections.

“Let’s step back. I’m not going to sugarcoat this, I thought that the Labour Party over the last 10 days had a spectacular own goal after those local election results,” he said.

“We have a by-election to fight. We need to remember our responsibilities as a government. We are not in opposition, we have the levers of power.”

He also said that he would “100 per cent” campaign for Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election, adding: “He has my full support.”

David Lammy has insisted Sir Keir Starmer will not set out a timetable for his departure despite the mounting probability of a leadership challenge from Andy Burnham.

There has been speculation over the weekend that the prime minister is considering announcing a timetable for a leadership election in order to bring stability to government.

But his deputy has now insisted this is not the case, telling Sky News: “There will be no timetable”.

“Keir Starmer remains the most resilient person I know in my life,” Mr Lammy said.

“I spoke to him twice yesterday. He has a strength of character, a fighting experience. There will be no timetables.”

Sir Keir Starmer’s government will return to Westminster after a battle over reversing Brexit was ignited among the rivals vying to oust him as Prime Minister.

Wes Streeting, who resigned as health secretary last week, signalled he wanted to see Britain return to the EU as he announced on Saturday he would stand in any Labour leadership contest.

Supporters of Andy Burnham are reportedly furious with Mr Streeting, according to the Times, as they believe it is a deliberate attempt to raise the salience of Brexit in the leave-voting constituency of Makerfield, where the Greater Manchester Mayor hopes to stand as a parliamentary candidate.

Mr Burnham sought to play down his own support for rejoining the trade bloc as he took part in a media blitz across the weekend.

He insisted there was a “long-term case” for advocating to join the EU, but insisted he was not campaigning on that issue in the by-election.

Reform UK, which is the second placed party in Makerfield, plans to make hay out of Mr Burnham’s previous support for rejoining the EU as it knocks doors in the constituency.

Sir Keir Starmer’s government will return to Westminster after a battle over reversing Brexit was ignited among the rivals vying to oust him as Prime Minister.

Wes Streeting, who resigned as health secretary last week, signalled he wanted to see Britain return to the EU as he announced on Saturday he would stand in any Labour leadership contest.

Supporters of Andy Burnham are reportedly furious with Mr Streeting, according to the Times, as they believe it is a deliberate attempt to raise the salience of Brexit in the leave-voting constituency of Makerfield, where the Greater Manchester Mayor hopes to stand as a parliamentary candidate.

Mr Burnham sought to play down his own support for rejoining the trade bloc as he took part in a media blitz across the weekend.

He insisted there was a “long-term case” for advocating to join the EU, but insisted he was not campaigning on that issue in the by-election.

Reform UK, which is the second placed party in Makerfield, plans to make hay out of Mr Burnham’s previous support for rejoining the EU as it knocks doors in the constituency.