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Viewers watching Prime Minister’s Questions witnessed an awkward moment in the Commons after Keir Starmer was interrupted with a pointed remark about Andy Burnham, prompting a quick-witted response that immediately sparked reactions online.
The exchange came during Starmer’s first PMQs since announcing he would step down as Labour leader while remaining Prime Minister until his successor is chosen.
As proceedings got underway, Starmer told MPs he had spent the morning meeting ministerial colleagues. Before he could continue, a voice from the Conservative benches shouted: “With Andy?”
The chamber erupted as the jibe referenced Andy Burnham, who is widely seen as the frontrunner to replace Starmer as Labour leader and potentially become the country’s next Prime Minister.
Without missing a beat, Starmer smiled before replying: “Not today.”
The brief exchange quickly became one of the most talked-about moments from the session, with Sky News sharing the clip as it interrupted its regular programming to cover Prime Minister’s Questions live.
The moment also divided viewers online. Some interpreted the exchange as an embarrassing moment for the outgoing Prime Minister, while others praised the light-hearted response. Social media quickly filled with reactions, with many debating both the Commons atmosphere and Burnham’s growing prominence within Labour.
The political spotlight remains firmly fixed on Burnham following his recent return to Parliament after winning the Makerfield by-election.
He is understood to have met with Starmer earlier this week for the first time since his victory and is expected to receive official briefings from civil servants as preparations continue for a possible transition of power.
Exactly how that transition should unfold, however, remains the subject of debate within Labour. While some MPs are calling for a full leadership contest, others are backing a smoother handover if Burnham emerges as the uncontested candidate.
Meanwhile, reports suggest Burnham is already considering significant changes to the way government operates should he reach Downing Street. According to the Financial Times, one proposal under discussion would see elements of the Prime Minister’s operation based in Manchester, creating a so-called “Number 10 in the North” as part of a wider effort to reduce the concentration of political power in Westminster.
With Labour’s leadership race gathering pace, even a brief exchange across the Commons chamber is now being scrutinised for clues about what comes next, making Starmer’s three-word reply one of the day’s defining political moments.
