Sir Keir Starmer faces a “real risk of losing Wales for the first time in nearly a century”, Political Editor Christopher Hope has warned as the Prime Minister has embarked on a trip to China.
Speaking to GB News, Christopher said Sir Keir’s trip comes at a critical time for the UK economy, with rising cost-of-living pressures and a desperate need for growth.
The trip also comes as tensions simmer at home, following disputes over party leadership and local elections, including controversy surrounding Manchester mayor Andy Burnham being blocked from running in a by-election.
Speaking on GB News, Christopher said: “We’ll see the Prime Minister. He’s flown here commercially with around 50 chief executives. There are reports about security concerns, including burner phones and the like.
“There is always a concern about China and security, and whether that might be a problem. So you come here eyes wide open, aware of that.
“But equally, the opportunity here is extraordinary. The UK is desperate to get the economy growing.
“That’s Keir Starmer’s main role to help combat the cost-of-living crisis and fight for the UK economy. That’s why he’s doing it, rather than frantically having his head in the sand like previous Tory PMs.”
Sir Keir’s trip comes as controversy surrounds Labour at home, with a ruling from the National Executive Committee (NEC) that blocked Andy Burnham from standing as a MP to “avoid an unnecessary mayoral election”.
Christopher Hope said Sir Keir Starmer’s trip comes at a critical time for the UK economy
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GB NEWS
Discussing this, Christopher added: “From the PM’s point of view, he was one of eight members of the National Executive Committee who ruled 8–1 to stop Andy Burnham quitting as Mayor of Greater Manchester.
“He knows the party has difficult elections in Wales and Scotland and thousands of council seats to fight.
“He doesn’t want to complicate matters further by having to contest the Greater Manchester mayoralty at the same time in May.
“That’s why he’s done it. He’s trying, in his way, to step back from personalities and focus on the party’s resources.
Keir Starmer is currently in Bejing
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POOL
“There is a real risk of losing Wales for the first time in nearly a century, and of not holding off the SNP in Scotland. That’s how he’s focusing on it.
“Critics might say Andy Burnham could be a better PM he’s doing very well in Greater Manchester, he’s the ‘King of the North,’ and he’s well liked by dozens of backbenchers. Is he a better option?
“Keir Starmer is trying to stay above that. But, of course, some critics argue he blocked Burnham because he might take his job. That’s not the case.”
Speaking to journalists aboard the flight to China, Sir Keir dismissed suggestions Andy Burnham had been privately warned he would be blocked from standing, insisting: “I know who spoke to Andy on Saturday, and that was not said.”
Reports had claimed the Greater Manchester mayor was told in advance he would not be approved as a candidate if he applied an allegation Mr Burnham himself has denied.
On Sunday, Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee moved to prevent Burnham from standing, saying the decision was taken to avoid a “needless” mayoral contest.
The Greater Manchester seat became vacant after former Labour minister Andrew Gwynne stepped down as an MP on Friday due to health reasons.
Mr Burnham, who previously served as a Cabinet minister under Gordon Brown, is widely viewed as a potential future leadership rival to Sir Keir should he return to Parliament.
