Keir Starmer is ramping up government activity and signalling a series of headline policy moves as Labour prepares for a tightly watched by-election battle in Makerfield, with internal party tensions and leadership speculation beginning to surface in Westminster.
Downing Street has been working on a cluster of so-called “legacy” initiatives aimed at strengthening the Prime Minister’s standing among Labour MPs, including proposals linked to child online safety and tighter controls on social media use by under-16s.
The political push comes as scrutiny grows over Labour’s early performance in office and the party braces for a potentially volatile electoral test.
Child safety online becomes central plank of government messaging
Speaking at London Tech Week, Keir Starmer placed new emphasis on protecting children from harmful digital content, focusing on the ability of minors to send and receive explicit images via smartphones.
He argued that long-standing assumptions about the limits of government action in the tech space were no longer acceptable, insisting that regulation must evolve to match the speed of innovation.
Starmer called on major technology firms operating in the UK to introduce stronger device-level safeguards to prevent children from exchanging sexually explicit material.
He framed the issue as one that companies were fully capable of solving if they chose to act.
He warned that if the industry failed to respond voluntarily, ministers would move to introduce legislation.
The Prime Minister made clear that, in his view, child protection would not be left to “best effort” policies or parental responsibility alone.
The issue has previously generated internal pressure within Labour.
Former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips stepped down from her Home Office role earlier in the year, criticising what she saw as a lack of urgency in bringing forward tougher protections despite available technology.
She has since welcomed the Prime Minister’s latest stance, saying the issue could effectively be resolved by tech companies “overnight”.
Burnham projects confidence as Makerfield campaign tightens
As attention shifts from Westminster to the constituency battlefield, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has struck an increasingly confident tone about the Labour position in Makerfield, claiming momentum on the ground as the contest enters its final stretch.
In a video message released on social media, Burnham said reactions from voters had been “absolutely brilliant” and insisted the campaign remained firmly on track despite what he described as hostile media coverage.
He added that he was “fighting for every vote” and “loving every minute” of the campaign, projecting a combative but upbeat tone as polling day approaches.
Polling suggests lead for Burnham, but race remains uncertain
A Survation poll published last week placed Burnham on 49 per cent support in Makerfield, ahead of Reform UK candidate Kenyon on 39 per cent.
The same survey showed Rebecca Shepherd of Restore Britain on 8 per cent, while the Green Party’s Sarah Wakefield registered 2 per cent. Both the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives were recorded at 1 per cent.
The figures suggest a clear lead for Burnham, although the margin has widened compared with earlier polling, which indicated a closer contest.
However, analysts have cautioned that constituency-level polling can carry a significant margin of error, particularly in tightly fought by-elections where turnout and local dynamics can shift rapidly in the final days.
Leadership speculation grows around Burnham’s next move
Beyond the immediate electoral contest, Westminster is already focused on what an eventual Burnham victory could mean for Labour’s internal power structure.
The Greater Manchester Mayor has not concealed his broader political ambitions, with long-standing speculation that he could seek the Labour leadership in the future, even as Keir Starmer has repeatedly signalled his intention to remain in post and see out his mandate.
Among Burnham’s allies, there is reported disagreement over timing. Some argue that a successful by-election result should be followed quickly by a leadership challenge, while others believe he would be better positioned if he first re-established himself as a Westminster MP.
The uncertainty adds a further layer of tension to an already sensitive political moment for Labour’s leadership.
Starmer signals readiness to resist any internal challenge
Senior figures in government have privately indicated that Keir Starmer is prepared to confront any leadership challenge head-on if one emerges following the by-election.
While Labour rules mean a sitting Prime Minister would not need to secure the same level of MP nominations required for challengers, observers note that any leadership contest would still represent a significant internal test of authority.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting has also been mentioned in political circles as a potential future contender, adding to the sense of underlying competition within the party’s senior ranks.
For now, however, attention remains fixed on Makerfield, where the outcome is expected to shape not only local representation but also the broader political narrative inside Labour in the weeks ahead.
