Starmer’s Labour Heads Into Crunch UK Elections Short of Cash

Prime Minister Keir Starmer gave an alarming explanation when he blocked Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham from seeking a seat in parliament: The Labour Party couldn’t afford to fight the contest to replace him.

While many believe Starmer’s chief concern was thwarting the rise of a popular rival, alarm about the governing party’s finances has been building for months. Labour’s coffers are severely depleted heading into a key set of local elections, according to party officials, a weakness that may end up being just as damaging to the prime minister’s chances of staying on as empowering Burnham.