Housing secretary Steve Reed says no one has numbers for challenge and Labour should row in behind prime minister
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One of Keir Starmer’s closest allies in the cabinet has conceded that the prime minister is “unpopular” but has insisted Labour should not repeat the same pattern of changing leaders that damaged the Conservatives.
The housing secretary, Steve Reed, one of Starmer’s most loyal ministers and staunch defenders, told broadcasters on Friday that no one had the numbers to challenge him and the party should come together behind the prime minister.
Starmer’s leadership is under intense pressure after the Labour MP Josh Simons announced he would stand aside to allow the Greater Manchester mayor, Andy Burnham, to attempt to return to parliament and challenge the prime minister.
