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Labour MP Clive Lewis has indicated a willingness to vacate his Norwich South seat to enable Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to re-enter Parliament and mount a leadership challenge against Sir Keir Starmer. Burnham’s ambition to contest the Labour leadership has been widely speculated, but as he currently does not hold a seat in the Commons, standing for the top role would require him to become an MP again.
Speaking on the BBC’s Politics Live, Lewis explained that stepping aside for Burnham would be an act of prioritizing the country over party, and party over personal ambition. Although contacted for comment, Burnham has not publicly responded, and Downing Street declined to comment on the matter. Lewis, who has represented Norwich South for a decade, confirmed he had discussed the idea with Burnham, and when pressed on whether he would give up his seat, he said, “If I’m going to sit here and say country before party, party before personal ambition, then yes, I have to say yes, don’t I.”
Last week, Lewis described Sir Keir Starmer’s role as prime minister as “untenable” and expressed support for Burnham’s potential leadership bid, stating that Burnham should be allowed to “step up.” However, the political editor of the Sun, Kate Ferguson, reported that Lewis told her he has no current plans to resign. Lewis clarified that his comments were in response to a hypothetical question, consistent with his long-standing principle of putting country ahead of party.
Should Lewis decide to step down, the process would require a selection contest before a by-election could be held for the Norwich South seat. Meanwhile, Health Secretary Wes Streeting described Lewis’s suggestion as “peculiar,” urging caution regarding taking voters for granted. Streeting acknowledged Burnham’s talents but said whether Burnham remains as mayor or seeks to return to Parliament is a personal decision. Two Labour MPs from Manchester, Andrew Gwynne and Graham Stringer, have dismissed stepping aside to facilitate Burnham’s return.
Sir Keir Starmer, despite facing a turbulent period with rumors of internal cabinet plotting—particularly involving Streeting—has affirmed that he intends to lead Labour into the next general election. The party prepares for setbacks expected in the upcoming elections in Scotland, Wales, and local councils in England. Any leadership contender would need the support of 80 Labour MPs to officially mount a bid
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