Andy Burnham, the Greater Manchester mayor, has been meeting Labour MPs to gather support for a potential leadership bid, with allies claiming he could return to Westminster 'within weeks'. The move comes as Keir Starmer faces mounting pressure ahead of crucial local elections next week, with some MPs reportedly refusing to be seen with the Prime Minister.
Burnham's team has been quietly preparing a manifesto, including pledges to introduce proportional representation across the UK, overhaul inheritance tax to fund social care, and increase defence spending. Several parliamentary seats in Greater Manchester and Merseyside have been identified where MPs could step aside to allow Burnham to run in a by-election.
Sources close to Burnham said an 'impressive' candidate was lined up to replace him as mayor, with Manchester council leader Bev Craig tipped as a possible successor. However, Starmer's allies have indicated they would fiercely resist any attempt by Burnham to return to Westminster, with one source saying the chances of Starmer stepping down are 'close to zero'.
Despite this, a growing number of Labour MPs believe Starmer's position is unsustainable after a series of damaging headlines and projections of heavy losses in next week's elections. Some MPs involved in persuading colleagues said they believed Burnham could be in place by the autumn, with the possibility of Starmer being offered the role of foreign secretary to demonstrate unity.
