British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the government still had "a lot of work to do" and his focus remained on his "responsibility" and "duty" to the country.
LONDON, May 18 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday said that his premiership was not over, adding he still wanted to lead Labour into the next general election despite mounting pressure after the party's poor performance in recent local and devolved elections, Sky News reported.
Speaking to broadcasters during a visit to northwest London, Starmer rejected suggestions that his time in Downing Street was effectively finished. He said the government still had "a lot of work to do" and his focus remained on his "responsibility" and "duty" to the country.
Starmer said, "I do want to fight the next election," but he acknowledged that Labour's setbacks in England, Wales and Scotland meant his immediate task was to "turn things around" and ensure the party and government were properly focused, Sky News reported.
His remarks came amid renewed speculation over his leadership, fueled by the expected Makerfield by-election and the possible return to Westminster of Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who is widely seen as a potential future leadership contender.
Starmer said he would not set out any timetable for leaving Downing Street if Burnham won the by-election. He described the contest as a "fight between Labour and Reform" and said he would give "100 percent" backing to whoever Labour selected as its candidate.
The comments follow a bruising set of elections for Labour. Reform UK made major gains in English local contests, while Plaid Cymru became the largest party in the expanded Welsh Senedd and Welsh Labour fell sharply to nine seats. ■
