Scramble for top job if Starmer gets fine
LABOUR is said to be braced for a “mad scramble” of MPS vying to replace Sir Keir Starmer if he is fined for breaking lockdown rules.
It is claimed the Labour leader’s pledge to quit if Durham Police punishes him for attending a work event with beer and curry has “stoked” the leadership ambitions of MPS who want the top job.
A senior northern Labour MP said: “This has stoked the fire. They are thinking, ‘OK, Keir just might not be there at the next election’.”
Commitments given by Sir Keir and his deputy Angela Rayner to stand down if they are fined over an April 2021 event have forced the party to confront the need for replacements.
Another senior Labour MP said: “I think if he goes there will be a mad scramble.”
But there is some nervousness in Conservative circles that the police probe could lead to Sir Keir being ousted, with a senior insider saying: “If Keir goes they might get someone who’s a good communicator.”
A former Tory minister who wants the Labour leader to remain in place said: “The only virtue of Keir going is the chaos that would ensue in the
Labour Party.” Meanwhile, a Labour MP claimed Sir Keir lacks campaigning skills, saying: “I think generally people aren’t very happy with what’s happening in the party. Keir as an individual doesn’t inspire people.
“You can pile up the votes in London but if you are not getting the votes in your former heartlands, you aren’t going to be winning elections.”
The speculation comes in the wake of local elections that resulted in Labour making a net gain in England of three councils and 22 councillors.
By contrast, the Liberal Democrat tally of councillors went up by 194 and the Greens’ by 63.
It is also thought Sir Keir’s successor could be Labour’s first female leader.
The northern Labour MP said there is a “genuine feeling that it should be a woman” but added: “The Rightwing are pushing Wes Streeting bigstyle but I don’t think there’s an appetite for that style of politics.
“You’ve got Lisa Nandy, you’ve got Rachel Reeves, you’ve got Yvette Cooper and Rosena Allin-khan.”
A senior Labour figure insisted the party must be ready for an autumn election, arguing the Prime Minister could point to key policy successes and seek a mandate for a five-year term to beat post-covid challenges.
Last night, a woman given a retrospective £10,000 fine by Durham Police for organising a balloon release in tribute to her late father-in-law said Sir Keir should be given a financial penalty if he broke the rules.
Vicki Hutchinson, 35, was initially fined £10,000 for the November 2020 event but this was later cut to £500.
Ms Hutchinson, from Peterlee, told a newspaper her event was nothing like the one Sir Keir attended.
She said: “I didn’t ask anyone to bring alcohol – we weren’t drinking and having food.we released balloons and within 20 minutes we went.”