After a bruising week that has left his political future under growing scrutiny, Prime Minister Keir Starmer chose to spend part of his Saturday at the Emirates Stadium, watching his beloved Arsenal play alongside his son.
While Starmer took a brief escape in the stands, the streets of London were preparing for a day of tension, with thousands of protesters expected across the capital.
Police Deploy Thousands Amid Protest Fears
The Metropolitan Police announced it had deployed around 1,600 officers across London to handle multiple high-profile events.
Of those, 500 were drafted in from forces outside the capital.
About 1,000 officers were assigned to manage counter-protests, including a “Unite the Kingdom” march led by Tommy Robinson and an opposing “March Against Fascism” organised by Stand Up To Racism.
The remaining 600 officers were scattered across football matches and other public events happening on the same day.
With six Premier League fixtures and heated local derbies — such as West Ham vs Tottenham and Brentford vs Chelsea — alongside Championship rivals Charlton vs Millwall, police were stretched thin.
Added to that, Leeds fans were travelling south for a clash with Fulham, Sunderland faced Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, and Nottingham Forest played Arsenal at the Emirates.
Political Pressure Mounts on the Prime Minister
While football offered Starmer some relief, the political pressures continue to pile up.
This week, the Labour leader lost both his deputy, Angela Rayner, and US ambassador Lord Mandelson in quick succession.
Rayner’s resignation has fuelled questions about the party’s stability, while Mandelson’s departure came after emails revealed deeper links with Jeffrey Epstein than previously disclosed.
Reports suggest concerns about his ties had been raised even before his appointment, leaving Starmer open to criticism over judgment and vetting.
Burnham Poised to Make a Move
Amid this turbulence, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is emerging as a potential challenger.
Although not currently an MP, he remains one of Labour’s most popular figures and is said to have support to return to Parliament through a possible by-election.
Party insiders claim that an ill Manchester MP may step aside, paving the way for Burnham to re-enter Westminster.
From there, he could present a serious threat to Starmer’s leadership.
Burnham has already positioned himself as a critic of the Prime Minister, backing Lucy Powell — seen as the “anti-Starmer” candidate — in the upcoming Labour Deputy Leader race.
Her main competition will come from Cabinet member and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson.
The Rise of the “Mainstream” Movement
Burnham is also tied to the new Labour movement called Mainstream, a network of party figures pushing for policies like wealth taxes, public ownership of utilities, and scrapping the two-child benefit cap.
With hustings set to take place at the Labour Party conference later this month, Burnham is expected to use the stage to directly challenge Starmer’s leadership style.
Despite his popularity with the public, Burnham’s lack of a seat in Parliament remains his main hurdle — though Labour insiders believe it’s only a matter of time before that changes.
Starmer Balances Politics and Football
Starmer’s public love for Arsenal has often attracted scrutiny.
In the past, he has faced criticism for accepting over £35,000 worth of free tickets, a detail that resurfaced again as he appeared at the Emirates.
Still, he would have been pleased to see his team deliver a strong performance, with Arsenal cruising to a 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest thanks to two goals from Martin Zubimendi and another from Viktor Gyokeres.
Away from the pitch, however, his government is pushing ahead with controversial football reforms.
A new law to establish an independent regulator is on the table, a move many Premier League clubs oppose.
The regulator would be empowered to block breakaway leagues and prevent investment from controversial foreign states, putting Starmer once again at the centre of football’s political battles.
A Difficult Balancing Act
For Starmer, the Emirates win might have offered a rare moment of joy in an otherwise draining week.
But as protests unfold in the capital, party rivals circle, and questions about his judgment grow louder, the Prime Minister faces the challenge of balancing his political survival with the responsibilities of office.