Burnham Ally Calls for Talks With Starmer on Labour Leadership Transition
Calls for Managed Labour Leadership Transition
Haigh Urges Dialogue Between Burnham and Starmer
LONDON, June 19 (Reuters) - British lawmaker Louise Haigh, an ally of leadership hopeful Andy Burnham, said she hoped Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Burnham could speak soon and agree "a way forward," adding there was a desire to avoid a contest to replace Starmer.
Desire to Avoid Leadership Contest
"We hope over the coming days that the prime minister and Andy can speak and agree a managed way forward," Haigh, a former transport minister, told BBC News, after Burnham's by-election win paved the way for him to challenge Starmer.
Starmer's Position on Leadership Challenge
Starmer has said that he would fight in a leadership contest.
Labour Party's Recent Challenges
Existential Crisis After Local Elections
"Just six weeks ago, the Labour Party was facing an existential crisis after the local elections, and it's quite clear the prime minister can't take us into another set of elections," Haigh said.
Burnham's Return and Future Prospects
"I hope he (Starmer) reflects on the results last night, and does what's right, in the interests of the country and of the party," she said, adding that Burnham had returned to parliament "to change Labour and to take that right to the top."
Reporting and Editing Credits
(Reporting by William James and Alistair Smout; Writing by Sam Tabahriti; Editing by Muvija M)
