Has Keir Starmer performed his final U-turn?

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Andy Burnham's first day in the Commons today, really, since becoming Prime Minister, he was setting the stage for, "Here's my cabinet," 9:30, "Here's my announcement," 3:30.

That's what we thought would be the political focus of the day, and Keir Starmer's now [laughs] kind of walking in the opposite direction, waving as he goes.

It was astonishing.

When Keir Starmer was, in effect, ousted as Prime Minister, he probably feels bitter and resentful and furious at the coup that was led by people he thought he could trust in politics.

It was the moment when I saw that video of Burnham landing in Ukraine and managing to borrow the soldier's guitar and start strumming along at The Smiths' song, where then Starmer just thought, "Oh, fuck it." Like, he can even play The Smiths' song.

Andy Burnham has handled politics with an agility-

Yeah

... an adroitness, a personability.

From what you've seen so far, there is no way that Keir Starmer, I don't think, could have done what Andy Burnham has done these past two months, and, you know, of course, we're right to say, caveat it, with difficulties ahead, but it's been pretty bloody good so far.

And you're gonna stay as an MP? I'm gonna stay as an MP.

Until the next election? Yes.

Less than two months ago, Keir Starmer told our colleague Henry Zeffman that he was definitely going to stay as an MP.

Today, all that changed.

You might say his final act as an MP is a U-turn.

But it gives Andy Burnham a very tricky little by-election to fight in Holborn and St Pancras, where the Greens will fancy their chances.

Is this Keir Starmer's parting present to the new Prime Minister? Welcome to the News Agents.

[upbeat music] The News Agents.

[upbeat music] This is a global production.

Andy Burnham's first day in the Commons today, really, since becoming Prime Minister, he was setting the stage for, "Here's my cabinet," 9:30, "Here's my announcement," 3:30.

That's what we thought would be the political focus of the day, and Keir Starmer's now [laughs] kind of walking in the opposite direction, waving as he goes.

It was astonishing.

When Keir Starmer was, in effect, ousted as Prime Minister, he probably feels bitter and resentful and furious at the coup that was led by people he thought he could trust in politics.

It was the moment when I saw that video of Burnham landing in Ukraine and managing to borrow the soldier's guitar and start strumming along at The Smiths' song, where then Starmer just thought, "Oh, fuck it." Like, he can even play The Smiths' song.

Andy Burnham has handled politics with an agility-

Yeah

... an adroitness, a personability.

From what you've seen so far, there is no way that Keir Starmer, I don't think, could have done what Andy Burnham has done these past two months, and, you know, of course, we're right to say, caveat it, with difficulties ahead, but it's been pretty bloody good so far.

And you're gonna stay as an MP? I'm gonna stay as an MP.

Until the next election? Yes.

Less than two months ago, Keir Starmer told our colleague Henry Zeffman that he was definitely going to stay as an MP.

Today, all that changed.

You might say his final act as an MP is a U-turn.

But it gives Andy Burnham a very tricky little by-election to fight in Holborn and St Pancras, where the Greens will fancy their chances.

Is this Keir Starmer's parting present to the new Prime Minister? Welcome to the News Agents.

[upbeat music] The News Agents.