“It gives me a little bit of a breather, take stock and this way you’re formally asking somebody that they think there should be a change, so it’s a step before that. For new MPs, for example, it’s far less threatening to say you want that,” West said.
West’s decision means the immediate threat to Starmer has receded — but his position in No. 10 Downing Street remains in peril.
Her U-turn gives potential leadership challenger Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who does not currently have a seat in Westminster, time to return to parliament as an MP.
Angela Rayner, another potential contender, still has to resolve the tax issue that forced her resignation as deputy prime minister.
In another boost to Burnham, Rayner told an audience of union reps Monday that the Greater Manchester mayor should not have been blocked from returning as an MP earlier this year.
Only Wes Streeting appears close to being ready to run a leadership contest — but MPs on the left of the party would likely challenge any move from the health secretary.