Andy Burnham has said now is not the time to introduce Digital IDs in the UK, after the Prime Minister announced the plans last week.
At an event on Monday hosted by the Guardian Politics podcast live, the Mayor of Greater Manchester was asked whether he backed digital ID, and he replied: “Not now.”
He also rejected suggestions he was “hopeless” on the economy as he defended his recent interventions in national politics.
Burnham’s refusal to back the PM’s plans for Digital IDs comes as Starmer continues to struggles for popularity.
Burnham has also left the door open for a future leadership bid, insisting “you would have to wrench” him out of the north west but refused to rule out the prospect of leaving his mayoralty before the end of the term.
However he has admitted himself he can’t actually challenge Starmer for the leadership because he isn’t an MP.
But Burnham does have a base of support on the left the Labour Party, and among the party membership.
Digital ID row
Starmer announced last Thursday that his plans for a new digital ID held on people’s phones will be an “enormous opportunity” for the UK and will offer “ordinary citizens countless benefits”.
They are expected to be introduced by the UK Government by the end of the current UK parliamentary term in an attempt to curb illegal immigration.
The plans have faced criticism, with opposition parties in Westminster and Holyrood quick to attack them.
The Conservatives dismissed them as a “gimmick” while Reform branded them a “cynical ploy” to “fool” voters.
The Scottish Government has made clear that it is opposed to “any compulsory card that is compulsory to have, compulsory to carry and that anyone can demand to see at any point”.
John Swinney added that the plans could “force Scots to declare themselves British”.
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