Mason: Starmer remains defiant as leadership challenge inches closer (opens original article in a new tab)

Starmer continues to resist leadership challenges by emphasizing political strategy and delaying potential rivals, while Burnham's team dismisses his tactics as unrealistic.

• Starmer remains defiant as leadership challenge approaches
• Starmer suggests Burnham should prioritize holding Manchester mayoralty over challenging him
• Burnham's team rejects Starmer's cabinet offer and calls his delay tactics 'ludicrous'