LONDON, June 17 — UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer tried Wednesday to ward off an expected leadership challenge by saying he wants would-be rival Andy Burnham to play “a big role” in his Labour government.

Burnham is widely predicted to try to oust Starmer from office if he wins a crunch by-election on Thursday for the parliamentary seat of Makerfield in northwest England.

In an interview with Sky News, Starmer signalled he could invite Burnham to join his top ministerial team if he is successful in his bid to become an MP.

“Andy is a great asset. And, yes, I want him to have a big role in government,” Starmer said of the Greater Manchester mayor.

The prime minister, who has been clinging on to power since disastrous local and regional election results last month, added he would talk to Burnham “after the weekend”.

Starmer warned him against launching an immediate leadership challenge, saying the whole of the Labour party should instead focus on defending the vacated mayoral seat.

Starmer, in power since July 2024, has insisted he intends to remain prime minister despite rock-bottom poll ratings and several ministerial resignations.

“If there is a challenge, then I intend to fight,” he said during the interview in the French spa town of Evian, where Starmer was attending the G7 summit.

Burnham is expected to easily muster the support of 81 of Labour’s 400-plus MPs needed to launch a contest.

A contest would be divisive, however, and Burnham allies have briefed UK media that they hope Starmer could instead be persuaded to lay out a timetable for his departure.

Former health minister Wes Streeting, who also wants the top job, said Tuesday that Starmer should be given “space over the weekend” to consider his future. — AFP