Keir Starmer accused of ‘petty and bitter’ move as former PM steps down as MP just hours before Andy Burnham’s major speech

Keir Starmer has been accused of making a “petty and bitter” move by stepping down as an MP just hours before Andy Burnham is due to address the Commons.

Jonathan Haslam, former director of communications at No10 under John Major, said the former Prime Minister’s timing risked overshadowing Mr Burnham as the new Labour leader prepares to set out his vision for the country.

This afternoon, Mr Burnham will speak before MPs for the first time since becoming Prime Minister six weeks ago.

The speech is expected to be Mr Burnham’s chance to outline a positive plan for the country and his government's priorities, GB News understands.

Speaking to The People’s Channel, Mr Haslam predicted the Prime Minister would “play down” the shock resignation of his predecessor.

“They'll play up everything that they've got from Andy Burnham himself, and it'll be carrying on with business because Keir Starmer is yesterday's man,” he said.

“I think it's rather unfortunate that Starmer has chosen this moment to say farewell.

“It looks rather petty. It looks bitter,” he added.

Mr Haslam said Sir Keir should have sought to leave Westminster with greater dignity, arguing that the former Labour leader had little reason to remain in Parliament after losing power.

“He's yesterday's man. He's not on the shadow cabinet. He's never going to be in the Shadow Cabinet,” he said.

The former No10 communications chief nevertheless paid tribute to Sir Keir’s achievements, particularly his role in returning Labour to power and his efforts to tackle antisemitism within the party.

“He actually did stand up and root out a lot of the antisemitism that was in the Labour Party. Hopefully all of the antisemitism,” Mr Haslam said.

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“I think that that is a matter of lasting tribute. And what he's done today seems to me to be rather tarnishing that particular success story that he's got.”

Mr Haslam suggested the former Prime Minister could eventually establish a new political role outside Westminster.

Still, he warned that he currently lacked the political network enjoyed by former Labour prime ministers such as Tony Blair.

“There is a possibility there that he can forge a new identity. I don't think this is the best start,” he said.