Ex-council leader welcomes Andy Burnham to Westminster

Peray Ahmet blames Sir Keir Starmer for Haringey Labour’s defeat at last month’s local election, reports Joe Ives, Local Democracy Reporter

Andy Burnham (left, credit Scottish government) and Peray Ahmet (right, credit Haringey Council)

Former leader of Haringey Council leader Peray Ahmet has backed Andy Burnham to be the next prime minister, hailing his election as MP as “brilliant news for all of us”.

Former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham won the parliamentary by-election for Makerfield last Thursday (18th) and is heavily tipped to become the UK’s next prime minister following Keir Starmer’s announcement today (Monday 22nd) that he would be stepping down as PM.

Peray Ahmet previously blamed Starmer for the “absolute disaster” her party endured in the local elections on 7th May, which saw her lose her own seat on the council.

Haringey Labour, led by Ahmet, lost control of the local authority for the first time in more than 55 years, a result which paved the way for the creation of the first Green Party administration in the council’s history.

Last Thursday, Ahmet posted a photo with Burnham on the campaign trail to her X account. Current Haringey Labour leader Ibrahim Ali, now an opposition councillor, was also tagged in the photo alongside “#VoteAndy #ForUs”.

In another X post on Friday (19th) Ahmet said she was “so happy to have played a tiny role” in Burnham’s election campaign.

The former Greater Manchester mayor’s by-election victory is likely to have played a major role in the timing of Starmer’s departure, an outcome Ahmet appears to have been angling for since the local elections.

Speaking to the BBC three days after her historic defeat in Haringey, the former council leader was asked if she wanted the PM to keep his position. Ahmet responded, saying: “I think where we’re at at the moment, it’s not a case of if, it’s a case of when he leaves his position.”

The video received a significant backlash, with some accusing her of failing to take responsibility for her own failures.

Despite these criticisms, Ahmet posted on X again yesterday (Sunday 21st), saying: “I am an ex council leader. Ex because in May 2026 Haringey Labour lost control for the first time in 55 years.

“This scenario was replicated all over the country. Labour lost 1,498 councillors in England alone.

“This turmoil is not on Andy Burnham.”

Announcing his plans to resign as PM outside 10 Downing Street today Starmer said: “The question my party is asking now is whether I am best placed to lead us into the next general election.

“I have heard the answer of my parliamentary party to that question, and I accept that answer with good grace.

“Every decision I have taken has been about putting the country I love first, that is why I will resign as leader of the Labour party.”

Now an MP, Andy Burnham is eligible to replace Starmer when he departs. If elected as new Labour leader, Burnham could be prime minister next month.

In an statement reposted by Peray Ahmet on X, the newly-elected MP for Makersfield thanked the outgoing PM for his “huge service to our country”.

Burnham added: “His decision marks the beginning of a transition and it is important that this process is conducted in an orderly and responsible way.

“I will put myself forward as part of this process.”

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