SIR KEIR STARMER will have to go as Prime Minister even if Andy Burnham loses the Makerfield by-election, prominent former minister Jess Phillips has insisted.

Speaking at the Hay Festival today, the Labour MP said she believes there will be a leadership contest regardless of whether Mr Burnham returns to Westminster.

The Greater Manchester mayor, who is viewed as a challenger to Sir Keir in a potential Labour leadership race, launched his by-election campaign on Friday.

Speaking at the festival, Ms Phillips said she felt “liberated” since resigning as safeguarding minister with a scathing letter accusing the Prime Minister of failing to be “bold.”

She said: “I can sort of see where Keir Starmer and Keir Starmer’s loyalists come from, in that the idea that we could repair a country so badly broken after years of austerity quite so quickly, is just a lie.

“But then also what he has not done is grab that particular mantle or even actually tell the story.

“I think even if Andy Burnham doesn’t win in Makerfield there will be a change of the Prime Minister.

“I’ve never been to Wigan in my life, so I have absolutely no idea about the people there, so I shall go and find out.

“But, yes, I imagine Andy Burnham will win it, and I imagine then that the Prime Minister changes.”

Ms Phillips stepped down from her Home Office role earlier this month, joining a string of mostly junior ministers quitting in protest at Sir Keir’s leadership.

Her comments came as the feud between Reform leader Nigel Farage and Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe threatens to split the right vote in the Makerfield by-election.

Mr Lowe, who represents Great Yarmouth, had the Reform whip suspended after being accused of bullying and verbal abuse.

He has denied all the claims and set up rival party, Restore Britain, which is standing candidate Rebecca Shepherd in the by-election.

She already has the support of Tesla owner and tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has posted a series of messages backing Restore Britain on his social media platform X.

Mr Farage said Mr Burnham would be “delighted” by Mr Musk’s intervention.

He told the Telegraph: “Elon Musk has decided he will try to split the right of British politics as best he can.”