Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has revealed that Labour MPs are privately urging him to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the party leadership, though he insists any such move must be 'more than a personality contest'. In an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Burnham accused Downing Street of creating a 'climate of fear' and spreading 'alienation and demoralisation' among MPs.
Speaking ahead of the Labour conference, Burnham said he was not 'plotting to get back' the leadership but that it was 'for other people in Westminster to make a decision about'. The former New Labour minister and ex-MP for Leigh has made a series of high-profile interventions this week, interpreted as signs he is considering a third run at the Labour leadership.
Burnham told BBC Radio Manchester that any leadership race must be about 'a plan for the country', not just personality. He declined to explicitly rule out a bid, saying he was 'not in the business of answering hypotheticals'. He also confirmed he still harbours ambition to become prime minister, noting he stood twice for the Labour leadership.
Housing secretary Steve Reed defended Starmer, saying he had 'picked this party up off the floor and led us to a record-breaking election victory'. Reed added that Burnham had committed to serving a full term as mayor until May 2028.
Burnham outlined policy ideas including higher council tax on some southern England homes, a 50p top income tax rate, more public control of housing and utilities, and scrapping the two-child benefit limit, which he called 'abhorrent'. He also backed proportional representation and signalled willingness to work with the Liberal Democrats and Jeremy Corbyn.
