The Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, is reportedly planning a swift return to Westminster with the intention of challenging Sir Keir Starmer's leadership of the Labour Party.
According to a report in The Guardian, Mr Burnham has identified several constituencies where incumbent MPs are prepared to resign, thereby triggering by-elections that could facilitate his re-entry into Parliament within weeks.
His supporters are said to be keen to avoid a formal leadership challenge against the current Labour leader. Instead, they reportedly hope to initiate a process for Sir Keir to step aside following what are widely anticipated to be disastrous results for Labour in the May 7 elections.
This alleged manoeuvre comes after Mr Burnham was blocked earlier this year by Labour's ruling National Executive Committee from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election. The seat became vacant after the previous MP, Andrew Gwynne, stood down due to health reasons.
The NEC reportedly justified its decision by citing concerns over the costs associated with running a new Manchester mayoral election, alongside fears that the Reform party could potentially seize the mayoralty.
Mr Burnham is now reported to be lining up an “impressive” candidate to replace him as mayor, who The Guardian said was not a sitting MP. The former health secretary in Gordon Brown’s government is also said to be preparing a progressive policy platform for Government.
Constituencies across Merseyside and Greater Manchester are reportedly among those where MPs are prepared to stand aside for Mr Burnham, The Guardian said. Earlier this week, in an interview with the BBC, Labour MP for Bootle Peter Dowd rejected suggestions he was preparing to make way for Mr Burnham.
