Labour MP Clive Lewis became the first MP to call for Keir Starmer to be replaced by Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. The MP for Norwich South has previously called for Starmer to stand down, but has now gone further, endorsing Burnham.

Speaking to Channel 4, Lewis said: “We need to do what the Prime Minister once said, which is put country before party. And frankly, party before personal ambition. I just don’t see how this can stagger on without any kind of resolution on the horizon.

“And I think the Labour Party, the Labour grandees, the men in grey suits now really, seriously think, how can we get Andy Burnham back in to this parliamentary Labour Party and let him step up and become the next Prime Minister? That’s my personal view. I know it won’t be shared by everyone, but I don’t see many other options.”

As reported by the Daily Mail, Mr Burnham has not yet commented on the remarks which come less than two weeks before Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirms her Autumn Budget.

Lewis previously called for Starmer to leave his role on September 12. He told the BBC‘s The Week In Westminster programme that the Prime Minister “feels that he’s lost control”. He added that he was “terrified” by the idea that Reform UK leader Nigel Farage was “eight points ahead of us”.

He added: “It terrifies my constituents, and it terrifies a lot of people in this country. We don’t have the luxury of carrying on this way with someone who I think increasingly, I’m sorry to say, just doesn’t seem up to the job.”

His latest comments come days after Starmer held talks over a furious briefing war which erupted from Downing Street. The Prime Minister told his senior team that attacks on cabinet ministers are “completely unacceptable”.

Health secretary Wes Streeting had criticised the “toxic culture” in the party after anonymous briefings accusing him of plotting to unseat Starmer. He accused those behind the anonymous briefing as having”watched too much Celebrity Traitors”.

A spokesman for the Prime Minister said it’s been “assured that no number 10 staff briefed against ministers and made abundantly clear high standards that he expects from staff”. They added: “If anyone falls below these standards, there will be consequences.”

Mr Streeting said in reply to broadcasters: “One of the great things about being here in the North West today is you can leave all that silly Westminster soap opera stuff behind.”

However, he was not drawn into discussing the future of Starmer’s aide Morgan McSweeney who some blame for the fallout. Streeting said: “I’m sure that Morgan McSweeney, Keir Starmer and everyone else is absolutely delighted with the news today that NHS waiting lists are falling.”

The feud has left speculation on whether Starmer will make it to the next election as leader of the Labour Party. Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham’s name continues to pop up and was accused of angling for the job prior to the party conference earlier this year.