The news programme ground to a halt for a breaking alert about Labour.
GB News was halted for a Keir Starmer alert (Image: Getty)
This morning’s instalment of GB News was interrupted for a major announcement as Sir Keir Starmer congratulated Andy Burnham on his by-election win. However, as the breaking news banner flashed across the screen, GB News correspondent Olivia Utley warned host Ellie Costello that a “whole” string of Labour Cabinet and MP resignations could be imminent following Burnham’s victory.
Costello reminded viewers that Starmer is “awake and tweeting” as she asked what Utley made of his post congratulating Burnham for his MP triumph in Makerfield. The political correspondent replied: “I sense it was through gritted teeth, but the Prime Minister didn’t really have any other choice. We didn’t expect the scale of the victory, as he got 55 per cent of the vote, more than any other party put together.”
She said the result has put Starmer in a very difficult situation, with Utley saying: “What makes it difficult for Starmer this morning is just how much Burnham has won by.” The reporter then said there were a few things “we need to watch out for this morning”.
“Will we start seeing the resignation of Stamer’s Cabinet members? We talked about Lisa Nandy here, who did not leave Burnham’s side overnight. Will she stand down?
“Will we see a whole string of MPs standing down as happened with Boris Johnson just a few years ago?”
She asked who would trigger this contest to become the next Prime Minister and when, stating that it is common knowledge that Burnham and Wes Streeting are “up for the race”.
In another damning blow for Starmer, Utley said she has spoken to Labour MPs who suggest that, if there is going to be a leadership contest, they would like to see a new PM in place by the Labour Party Conference in October.
“It’s the middle of June now, that doesn’t give them very much time at all. There is so much going on today, and we will find out soon what Starmer is thinking,” she added.
Following Burnham’s victory, Starmer tweeted: “Congratulations, @AndyBurnhamGM, Labour’s new MP for Makerfield. Voters chose Labour’s campaign of hope and optimism over division and hate.”
