Andy Burnham Hints at Westminster Return Amid Labour Turmoil
Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, has today hinted that he is still considering a return to the House of Commons, as pressure mounts on Sir Keir Starmer's position as Prime Minister. The prominent Labour figure is widely viewed as a potential replacement for Sir Keir and has long expressed interest in re-entering Westminster politics, where he could potentially launch a leadership bid.
By-Election Block and Devastating Defeat
Mr Burnham's ambitions were recently thwarted when Sir Keir Starmer blocked his plan to stand in last week's Gorton and Denton by-election. This decision preceded a disastrous Labour defeat, with the party pushed into third place in the Greater Manchester constituency—a former stronghold—by the Green Party, who secured victory, and Reform UK, who came second.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Centre for Cities think tank in central London on Wednesday, Mr Burnham described the by-election result as revealing "the full depth of the chasm between people and Westminster politics." He did not rule out making another attempt to return to the Commons as an MP, stating only that his plan to "head South" is "currently on hold."
Scottish Poll Shows Mixed Results for Labour
This development coincides with a new Ipsos poll indicating that Labour has risen four percentage points among Scottish voters ahead of the Scottish Parliament elections in May. The survey, conducted after Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar publicly disowned Sir Keir Starmer, places Labour at 20 per cent support in Holyrood constituency voting intention.
This puts Labour behind the SNP, who are at 36 per cent (up one point since a December poll), but ahead of Reform UK, who are at 16 per cent (down two points). The research was carried out following Mr Sarwar's public call for Sir Keir to resign as Prime Minister last month, but before the Gorton and Denton by-election took place.
Burnham Criticises Westminster Culture
In his remarks, Mr Burnham emphasised that the by-election outcome demonstrates Westminster's failure to focus on the priorities of ordinary people. He stated, "I'm definitely not here to talk about my career plans, other than to say I wrote a book with the mayor of the Liverpool City region, Steve Rotheram, about leaving Westminster and establishing devolution across England. It's called 'Head North.' All I can say today is that the sequel 'Head South' is currently on hold."
He added, "The time has most definitely come for a serious conversation about our political system and its pervading culture, particularly so in the aftermath of the Gorton and Denton by-election. It revealed the full depth of the chasm between people and Westminster politics. I don't think anybody can seriously dispute that statement."
Polling Highlights Public Discontent
Mr Burnham also referenced polling by More in Common, which found that a majority of people do not believe the cost-of-living crisis will ever end, describing it as "code red for Westminster politics." He warned, "This is getting extremely dangerous, and change in our political system and culture is desperately needed."
When questioned by reporters about why he would consider returning to Westminster despite his criticisms, Mr Burnham explained, "I don't think Greater Manchester's full ambitions are achievable with the political system staying as it is. There is, in my view, a bias against the North of England. I saw it with my own eyes in Westminster, and not just an emotional bias, it's hardwired, it's in the green book. Therefore, I just don't think in the rest of this century it will be everything I believe it can be with that culture still pervading, where we are always begging for things and having to constantly lobby for everything."
The ongoing tensions within Labour, highlighted by Mr Burnham's comments and the recent electoral setbacks, underscore the challenges facing Sir Keir Starmer's leadership as the party navigates internal divisions and public disillusionment.
