Politics latest: Streeting says he could challenge Starmer next week ahead of last PMQs before crucial by-election

Politics latest: Streeting says he could challenge Starmer next week ahead of last PMQs before crucial by-election Andy Burnham is also widely expected to launch his own leadership campaign should he be elected on Thursday - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Wes Streeting has indicated he is preparing to challenge Sir Keir Starmer in a Labour leadership contest as early as next week. The former health secretary has urged the prime minister to set out a timetable for his departure if Andy Burnham wins Thursday’s Makerfield by-election. Mr Streeting said he wanted Sir Keir to make a decision to leave “on his own terms”, but told BBC Newsnight: “We can’t carry on with this uncertainty and paralysis, and there will need to be a contest, and I’d be prepared to do that.” On how soon he would be willing to mount a challenge, Mr Streeting said he did not want to get into it, but that Sir Keir should be given “space over the weekend” to consider his position. The ex-cabinet minister insisted he has the backing of 80 MPs required to stand in a contest, while Mr Burnham is widely expected to launch his own campaign should he return to Westminster. Meanwhile, Sir Keir told reporters at the G7 summit that he would prove his rivals wrong and “carry on with what I was elected to do” as he fights for his political future. Streeting prepared to trigger leadership contest as early as next week Wes Streeting indicated he is prepared to trigger a Labour leadership contest as early as next week as he urged Sir Keir Starmer to set out a timetable for his departure if Andy Burnham wins this week’s Makerfield by-election. The former health secretary insisted he has the backing of the 80 MPs required to stand in a contest as he accused Sir Keir of not listening to the party or his cabinet in a series of public appearances on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the prime minister said he would prove his rivals wrong and “carry on with what I was elected to do” and “bring back the change that people desperately need” as he fights for his political future. Mr Streeting said he wanted Sir Keir to reflect over the weekend and make a decision to leave “on his own terms” after the vote on Thursday which could see Mr Burnham return to Westminster to challenge the prime minister. But pressed on whether he would trigger a contest if Sir Keir stayed put, as the prime minister has made clear he wants to, the ex-cabinet minister told BBC Newsnight: “We can’t carry on with this uncertainty and paralysis, and there will need to be a contest, and I’d be prepared to do that.” On how soon he would be willing to mount a challenge, Mr Streeting said he did not want to “get into, ‘is it Monday, is it Tuesday'”, but that Sir Keir should be given “space over the weekend” to consider his position. Asked if he would challenge Sir Keir if the Greater Manchester mayor does not win the Makerfield by-election, he told LBC’s Andrew Marr Show: “Yes, I believe we need a change of leadership and if Andy Burnham isn’t back, I still believe we need that change of leadership.” Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments