Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, is positioning himself as a potential successor to Labour leader Keir Starmer, according to reports. Burnham has never hidden his leadership ambitions, having run for the top job in 2010 and 2015. With Starmer facing a torrid summer and internal criticism, Burnham's recent prominence has fuelled speculation.
Burnham's path to No 10 is fraught with challenges, not least because he is not currently an MP. He would need to find a seat in Parliament before any leadership bid. However, the resignation of senior Starmer aide Paul Ovenden over offensive messages about Diane Abbott has added to the leader's woes, creating an opening for Burnham.
The departure of Angela Rayner from the cabinet has also boosted Burnham's prospects. Rayner and Burnham both occupy the 'soft left' of the party, and her exit leaves a vacuum that Burnham could fill. 'It suddenly becomes much more realistic with her out of the picture,' said the Guardian's political editor Pippa Crerar.
Burnham has previously stated he would not turn away from a leadership opportunity if the party deemed it his time. However, he lacks complete control over making that a reality. The coming months will reveal whether his manoeuvres can translate into a serious challenge to Starmer's leadership.
