Why the PM's Praise for Andy Burnham May Backfire

At a global summit on 17 June, PM Keir Starmer publicly called Andy Burnham a "huge asset" and urged him into a top government role—while telling Labour to stop talking about who might replace him. But if Burnham wins an upcoming election and gets a senior cabinet job, he'd have the visibility and credentials to challenge Starmer for leadership later. The intended signal of loyalty may instead create the platform for the succession race Starmer was trying to avoid.