I have always liked Andy Burnham, and I've been very disappointed in Keir Starmer, but I really don't think a divisive I leadership election is what the country needs right now. That's what the Tories kept doing, and it didn't solve any of their problems.
The issues that this country is facing right now are far, far bigger than questions about which Labour politician is in the top job. We need to learn how to navigate our way through the strange new world in which we find ourselves. We need to build back public services after 14 years of Tory austerity. We urgently need to invest in our defence in light of growing international threats and the fact that we can no longer count the US as an ally. We need to tackle the mental health crisis and support people who could work to be able to do so. We need to invest in education to ensure that we properly equip future generations for a world that is going to be totally transformed by AI in just a few years. We need to tackle disinformation on social media and restore people's faith in the democratic process. We need to promote better cohesion and integration in our diverse communities. We need to rebuild our relationship with Europe and other potential allies after the disaster that was Brexit. We need to somehow get the economy growing again. And we need to quash the growing threat from the far right.
What we definitely don't need is a load of backbiting and petty infighting within the Labour Party while Rome burns. They need to pull together, with all talents focused on the national effort and not their own ambition. The speculation about Starmer's job has to stop. If Burnham, Streeting, Raynor or anyone else believe that they could do a better job, then they need to step up and help him succeed. If they think he lacks vision, then they should share their own vision and bring him on board with it. If they think he lacks strategy, they should help him draw up a game plan. If they think he is incompetent, then they should roll up their sleeves and help to make things happen. If they think he is a poor communicator, then they should get out there and tell a better story on his behalf.
Starmer isn't ever going to set the world on fire, but he is a fundamentally decent man and I do believe that he is doing his best. Stabbing him in the back will achieve nothing in my view, and will only backfire on Burnham in the longer term.
If Burnham wants to be an MP again, then I absolutely think they should let him stand. It shouldn't be about game playing, it should be about who is the best candidate for the job. But if he does return to Westminster, I hope that he will do so with loyalty, integrity and patience. Starmer won't be leader forever. He can have another shot at the top job when a vacancy becomes available. I hope that he doesn't jump the gun too soon.