Andy Burnham is expected to drop his call to reverse Brexit as he faces a crunch by-election that could see him return to Westminster and potentially enter No 10. He will, however, still call for close ties between the UK and the European Union (EU), according to reports.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester must first win the seat of Makerfield, which voted to leave the EU in 2016. If successful, he would face a challenge from former health secretary Wes Streeting, who has confirmed he will stand should a Labour leadership contest to replace Sir Keir Starmer be triggered.
Voters Split on Burnham's PM Prospects
A new YouGov poll shows voters are divided on whether Burnham looks like a prime minister in waiting. Nationally, 31 per cent believe he does, while 27 per cent think he does not, and 42 per cent are unsure. In the North, figures are more favourable: 38 per cent see him as PM material, versus 27 per cent who do not.
Burnham's EU Stance Shifts
Burnham told last year's Labour Party conference he wanted the UK to rejoin the EU, saying, "I hope it happens in my lifetime" and praising the benefits of unions. However, allies report he will not "go big on Europe" in his pitch. Another ally told the i newspaper: "Of course he will want to talk about a closer relationship with Europe, but he is not going to start talking about rejoining the EU."
By-Election Dynamics
Reform UK is expected to pull out all the stops to win the by-election, risking plunging Labour into chaos. Earlier this week, Labour MP Josh Simons resigned the seat specifically to make way for Burnham, calling it a "difficult decision" but arguing the mayor can "drive the change the country is crying out for."
Burnham must win the seat first to have any chance at the Labour leadership. The outcome remains uncertain as voters weigh his record as Mayor against his national ambitions.
