Keir Starmer's leadership woes spark G7 fears as allies fret Labour will lurch 'further left'

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham set out his plan to topple Sir Keir, prompting accusations of the ex-Health Secretary using Makerfield as a "stepping stone".

Despite Sir Keir's domestic struggles, Mr Burnham's plan to contest his third Labour leadership race sparked concerns in Evian.

“Starmer is seen as a reasonable choice for now, given the further-left alternatives,” one US official told Politico.

“Wherever that [relationship with Trump] stands at any given moment, it’s a lot deeper than what something with Burnham might be.”

An Eastern European diplomat added: “Weak domestically is eventually weak abroad.

"All politicians treat foreign policy as a spare lung, but it rarely works.”

Sir Keir Starmer is in France for the G7 summit

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A bombshell new poll appeared to reveal concerns about Mr Burnham's stance on defence have also landed with voters.

The survey, conducted by More in Common, had both men tied on who was more trusted on defence at just 16 per cent.

Meanwhile, 20 per cent said they did not know and 46 per cent trusted neither Mr Burnham nor Sir Keir.

However, international concerns about Sir Keir's successor appear to underprice the chances of Mr Burnham's potential leadership rivals.

Ex-Health Secretary Wes Streeting and former Armed Forces Minister Al Carns have both expressed interest in entering the race for the top job.

Speaking to GB News after announcing his decision to quit, the former Royal Marine commando said: "Throughout my career, I've always been one of service."

Meanwhile, Mr Streeting today heaped pressure on Sir Keir to resign after the Makerfield by-election.

Mr Streeting said: “When the results are in, I hope the Prime Minister will reflect on his own position and set out a timetable.

Keir Starmer calls his critics ‘wrong every time’ as he pledges to ‘not walk away’ amid leadership pressure |

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“I think that would be a better way forward for everyone and would enable that better culture that we aspire to.”

Despite facing turbulence in Westminster, the Prime Minister opted to put on a brave face in Evian, unveiling new sanctions on Russia.

Sir Keir said: “Russia’s aggression threatens not just Ukraine, but the security of all Europe.

"That is why the UK is stepping up – choking off the revenues that fuel Putin's war and powering Ukraine through the winters ahead.

"We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes and this announcement reinforces that.

"Putin should roll back his tanks, end his barbaric strikes, and come to the negotiating table."

The UK will claim that it is the first mover on sanctioning several Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) vessels moving sanctioned Russian LNG.

The decision will bring the total number of sanctioned shadow fleet and Russian LNG vessels to more than 600.