Key Reads<\/p>\n
Ronan McGreevy – 30 minutes ago<\/p>\n
Labour left issues warning to Streeting<\/p>\n
Wes Streeting is deeply unpopular on the Labour left. This morning Richard Burgon, secretary of the Socialist Campaign Group in parliament, posted a message saying that if Streeting launches a leadership bid today, he will be ignoring the wishes of Labour-affiliated trade unions. <\/p>\n
Burgon said: \u201cWes Streeting launching a leadership bid today would be deliberately flying in the face of this joint statement from all of Labour\u2019s affiliated trade unions for an orderly transition. <\/p>\n
\u201cDismissing our trade unions like this will not help us learn the lessons or help us stop Farage.\u201d \u2013 Guardian<\/p>\n
![\"Members](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/MKKHOCPZUOLPMQNY6WQBHLAU4U.jpg\")
Members of the media gather outside Downing Street in London, awaiting further developments in the Labour leadership challenge. Photograph: EPA <\/p>\n
Ronan McGreevy – 50 minutes ago<\/p>\n
Reeves: Leadership contest could throw UK into \u2018chaos\u2019<\/p>\n
UK chancellor Rachel Reeves warned this morning a leadership battle could plunge the UK \u201cinto chaos\u201d\u2019 and threaten its economic recovery. <\/p>\n
Asked by the BBC about the possibility that health secretary Wes Streeting triggers a Labour party leadership race, Reeves argued that the government will be able to invest more in public services and help households and businesses because of the pick-up in growth. <\/p>\n
![\"UK](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/VOV4FZQIJFTTU2CQFMW7CADAVE.jpg\")
UK chancellor of the exchequer Rachel Reeves warned a Labour leadership contest could put the UK’s economic stability at risk. Photograph: Ben Montgomery\/Getty Images <\/p>\n
But, she said, that is only possible because of the economic stability the government has brought back. <\/p>\n
Reeves added: \u201cWe shouldn\u2019t put that at risk by plunging the country into chaos at a time when there is conflict in the world, but also at a time when our plan to grow the economy is starting to bear fruit.\u201d \u2013 Guardian<\/p>\n
Ronan McGreevy – 1 hour ago<\/p>\n
Starmer \u2018would probably win leadership contest\u2019<\/p>\n
Keir Starmer would \u201cprobably win\u201d a leadership contest if Wes Streeting succeeds in triggering one, a prominent Labour MP has said. <\/p>\n
North Durham MP Luke Akehurst told LBC Radio: \u201cHe\u2019s happy to stand against all comers. He would probably win. Labour Party members don\u2019t like the idea of chucking their leaders out.\u201d<\/p>\n
Akehurst said he would back the PM and added that the Labour Party should not indulge in constant leadership struggles like the Tory party has done. <\/p>\n
He added: \u201cSo long as he\u2019s [Starmer] in the final two, I\u2019m pretty robust about Keir holding on if there is a contest.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut it would paralyse government. It\u2019s causing huge market turmoil. We\u2019ve already lost \u00a33 billion of money having to go on interest payments because of this market turmoil which we could be spending on public services.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ronan McGreevy – 1 hour ago<\/p>\n
Andy Burnham\u2019s radio absence fuels speculation ![\"Mayor](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1778750838_980_67FSYXKJLSHGPL2FCIATK2Z7NM.jpg\")
Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham. Photograph: Ryan Jenkinson\/Getty Images <\/p>\n
Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham has pulled out of his regular phone-in radio slot on local radio.<\/p>\n
He was due to appear on BBC Radio Manchester\u2019s Mike Sweeney\u2019s programme on Thursday morning.<\/p>\n
It comes as speculation mounts over a potential challenge to British prime minister Keir Starmer\u2019s leadership. <\/p>\n
A spokesperson for Burnham told the BBC: \u201cAs you know, Andy doesn\u2019t like to miss the hot seat.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut this week, to get the best deal for Greater Manchester, he has to prioritise discussions arising from last week\u2019s local elections.\u201d<\/p>\n
The election results for Burnham\u2019s party were dire in Greater Manchester and across the country, while Reform UK and the Green Party made major gains.<\/p>\n
Burnham is many people\u2019s choice to succeed Starmer, but he cannot challenge for the leadership until he gets a seat in parliament. <\/p>\n
Ronan McGreevy – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n
Race against time to find Andy Burnham a safe seat<\/p>\n
A Labour MP has denied reports he is preparing to step down to allow Andy Burnham to stand in a byelection in a bid to return to Westminster.<\/p>\n
There had been reports that Afzal Khan, the MP for Manchester Rusholme, was prepared to step aside and trigger a byelection for Burnham to run in.<\/p>\n
The mayor of Greater Manchester would need to find a parliamentary seat to stand in, and then win it, to be able to stand in a leadership election.<\/p>\n
He is said to have been speaking to MPs in the Manchester area to find somewhere to stand.<\/p>\n
Khan told BBC News: \u201cNo, it\u2019s not me. I\u2019m not stepping down.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ronan McGreevy – 2 hours ago<\/p>\n
Rayner could put herself forward for leadership contest <\/p>\n
Angela Rayner has suggested she could enter any leadership contest, should one be triggered by Wes Streeting on Thursday. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ll play my part in doing everything we possibly can to deliver the change, because it\u2019s not a personal ambition, I know the difference it makes,\u201d she told The Guardian. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhatever role I can play, I will keep pushing and pushing hard because I want the people out there at the moment who are really struggling … to know that I\u2019m putting all my energy into fighting for them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Coincidentally, Rayner has been cleared of wrongdoing by revenue. . <\/p>\n
![\"Former](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/KWOKYBCLMYD3KWGTFNBUWLBB4M.jpg\")
Former deputy PM Angela Rayner suggested she could enter any leadership contest, should one be triggered by Wes Streeting. Photograph: Peter Byrne\/PA Wire <\/p>\n