Andy Burnham has told Labour MPs they should 'hold the line' and that he still has options to return to parliament, despite several potential seats failing to materialise. The Greater Manchester mayor spoke to a number of MPs by phone on Tuesday, seeking to reassure his supporters after two seats described as 'nailed on' by his allies were ruled out.
Two MPs, Jeff Smith of Manchester Withington and Afzal Khan of Manchester Rusholme, have denied they are stepping aside for Burnham. Charlotte Nichols of Warrington North and Marie Rimmer of St Helens South and Whiston also dismissed speculation about their seats. One Burnham ally admitted: 'We thought the local election results would concentrate some people’s minds, but until you’ve got something lined up, you haven’t.'
A key Burnham supporter was blunt: 'They’ve fucked it. Everything is falling apart, they’ve run out of time.' Another pro-Burnham source said any leadership race would move too fast for the mayor, with Wes Streeting expected to start an accelerated process this week. 'It’s a big shit cocktail. We’re all doomed,' they said.
Burnham is understood to have had conversations with union leaders, but one Labour NEC member said he would have to distance himself from Ed Miliband's energy policies to win over some unions. Another source on the committee said if Sir Keir Starmer's political authority was shot, Burnham would have a chance. 'Everyone on there is a pragmatist,' they said.
Burnham has been the preferred candidate for many MPs on the party's soft left, but the group is likely to split significantly should Streeting launch a challenge and Burnham be unable to return in time. MPs say they are deeply concerned that Starmer could collect most second preferences in a three-way contest and remain leader and prime minister even if he comes second.
