Labour MP offers to give up seat so Andy Burnham can stand and oust Starmer

Speaking on the BBC's Politics Live after Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Lewis spoke of his dissatisfaction with Keir Starmer and the current Labour government.

The Norwich South MP said Labour needed a new leader, and was asked if Burnham would be keen to challenge Starmer.

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Lewis said this was a question for Burnham before being asked if he would give up his East Anglian seat to give the Manchester Mayor a route into parliament.

"It's a question I've asked myself," Lewis responded. "But if I'm going to sit here and say 'country before party, party before person or ambition' then yes, I have to say yes."

When asked again if he would give up his seat for Andy Burnham, Lewis doubled down, saying: "I would, yeah."

Earlier this year, there were reports that Burnham was eyeing up a bid at the Labour leadership. Burnham himself added fuel to the fire when he claimed Labour MPs were privately urging him to challenge Starmer.

Burnham, who has been mayor of Greater Manchester since 2017, is a popular figure both among Labour MPs and the public.

More recently, there has been much speculation about Starmer's position as leader and prime minister.

Last week, Number 10 sources briefed against health secretary Wes Streeting, saying Starmer was ready to fight any challenge to his leadership.

And this week, the Times reported that the soft-left of Labour were rallying ahead of a potential leadership contest, and reportedly had the numbers to support a candidate to challenge Starmer.