Story thread · 9 reports / 7 sources

Keir Starmer by-election is Andy Burnham’s ‘test run’ for early general election

gbnews.com · 1dShare

The by-election in Sir Keir Starmer's old seat has been described as Andy Burnham's "test run" for an early general election. If the Prime Minister wins the desired amount of support in the Holborn and St Pancras mid-term, where Labour is facing off against Greens leader Zack Polanski, Mr Burnham could bring forward the scheduled date for the 2029 election. The contest was triggered when Sir Keir announced his resignation at the start of September - despite previously vowing to stay on as an MP following his departure from No10. Now, Mr Burnham's advisers have suggested that the upcoming contest, due to take place next month, could be a small-scale test of whether the "King of the North's" rise to power has truly quashed the threat from the Greens. "Because Keir’s seat was a target and Polanski is running in it, this gives the PM a perfect opportunity to see if the Green threat has gone with a change of leader," a party insider told The Independent. “We are seeing people come back [fro

First report: Burnham 'running scared' of the Greens as he delays crucial North Sea drilling approval until after two sides face off for Starmer's old seat — dailymail.co.uk, 3d