Andy Burnham is preparing a return to Westminster within weeks, according to allies, as Labour MPs grow increasingly concerned about Keir Starmer's leadership ahead of crucial elections next week. The Greater Manchester mayor has been quietly developing a manifesto and identifying parliamentary seats where he could stand, with sources close to him saying the move could happen 'within weeks'.
Burnham's team have identified several possible seats in Greater Manchester and Merseyside, and an 'impressive' candidate is lined up to replace him as mayor. Manchester council leader Bev Craig is tipped for the mayoral candidacy and has not ruled herself out. Burnham's manifesto pledges would include electoral reform to introduce proportional representation, a decade-long transformation of local services, higher defence spending, and an overhaul of inheritance tax to fund social care.
Starmer's team have indicated they would fiercely resist any attempt by Burnham to return to parliament. Members of Labour's national executive committee, which blocked Burnham from standing in a February by-election, said there was no route for him through that committee. Some Burnham allies are trying to convince union general secretaries to change their views, with Unison a key target, while the GMB has ruled out support due to Burnham's closeness with Ed Miliband.
A growing number of Labour MPs believe Starmer's position is unsustainable after damaging headlines over Peter Mandelson and expected heavy losses in elections across England, Wales and Scotland. Projections from elections expert Robert Hayward suggest Labour could lose more than 1,600 seats in England, along with defeats in Wales and Scotland. Several MPs involved in persuading colleagues believe Burnham could be in place by autumn, with some even suggesting Starmer could be appointed foreign secretary to demonstrate consensus, though this is considered highly unlikely given Starmer's anger at the moves to oust him.
