Lammy urges Labour unity as he says Starmer 'fights on' as PM

David Lammy said he believes Sir Keir Starmer will fight on as prime minister, as he urged Labour MPs to unite following "10 days of introspection and infighting".

The deputy prime minister told the BBC that Labour colleagues risk losing the next general election and "ushering in" Nigel Farage's Reform UK if the "internecine warfare" continues.

He also said the government stood by its "red lines" of closer ties with the European Union but staying outside the bloc, after former health secretary Wes Streeting suggested that Britain's future "one day" involves an EU return.

Sir Keir said he is "focused on the job" as PM, as he defied calls from his MPs to step down after poor election results.

Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Greater Manchester tipped to be a leadership challenger, is also seeking a return to Parliament as he bids to secure the nomination to be the party's candidate in the Makerfield by-election.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast, Lammy said of Sir Keir: "He's been crystal clear that he fights on, on behalf of the British people, delivering in government. He has my full support."

Lammy said he would support Burnham in Makerfield if he is selected as Labour's candidate, adding "all of us in cabinet will be campaigning to ensure that there is a Labour win" in the north-west constituency.

But Lammy, who is also justice secretary, said there has been an "extraordinary own goal for 10 days" as he said Labour MPs need to remember that they are in government.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "I say to colleagues, 10 days of this, fine, I think the British people will forgive us for the introspection.

"Ten weeks of this and we're in desperate trouble, we'll be out of office and what we'll be ushering in is Farage."

Sir Keir, on a visit to see Labour Party staff in London on Monday, said: "I am focused on the job that I was asked to do, which is to serve my country and to carry out my duties as prime minister of this country."

He added many of those who voted Labour want them to "get on with the job" before saying: "That is what I am going to be doing."

He billed the Makerfield by-election as "Labour versus Reform", adding the candidate will be known "very shortly" and "whoever they are I am going to support them 100%".

The BBC understands the by-election will likely take place on 18 June.

The contest was triggered by the resignation of Labour MP Josh Simons, who said he believed Burnham could "drive the change our country is crying out for".

The seat was won by Labour in 2024 with a majority of 5,399 votes over Reform.

There are no precise figures for how the parties performed in Makerfield during the local elections because the ward boundaries do not fully align with the constituency boundaries - but Reform won roughly 50% of the vote share in the area.

Farage has said Reform "will throw absolutely everything at" the by-election contest.

Questions on Labour's position on Brexit have emerged after Streeting at the weekend said the "biggest economic opportunity we have is on our doorstep" as he called for a "new special relationship with the EU.

The former minister, who has confirmed he would enter any potential leadership contest, added "Britain's future lies with Europe – and one day back in the European Union".

Labour MP Jonathan Hinder said the party "took a real beating in our working-class heartlands" in the local elections to Reform, which was previously known as the Brexit Party.

He told the BBC: "The idea that we can reconnect to our working-class base by reopening this debate is just a staggering level of out of touch."

Conservative Party Chairman Kevin Hollinrake responded to Streeting's comments by saying "whilst Labour relitigate Brexit, Britain is not being governed".

On Monday, Lammy said he began the process of the UK "getting closer to Europe" during his time as foreign secretary and the government "set our red lines in the manifesto, we stand by those red lines".

He also likened Brexit speculation to a "sixth form debate".

The Labour manifesto said the UK would "stay outside the EU" and seek to "make Brexit work", with a push for closer ties but "no return to the single market, the customs union, or freedom of movement".