To mount a serious leadership bid, Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham needs to return to Parliament.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham (Image: Getty)
Sir Keir Starmer is facing fresh humiliation with allies of Andy Burnham claiming they are on the brink of securing a Commons seat for an audacious leadership coup. The Greater Manchester Mayor, long viewed as Sir Keir’s chief rival and dubbed the “King of the North“, has openly signalled his national ambitions.
In a recent ITV News interview, Mr Burnham said that if “the call came” for a bigger role, “I’m not going to turn away from it”. To mount a leadership bid, Mr Burnham needs to return to Parliament – a step his supporters insist is now imminent amid Labour‘s plunging polls and Reform UK’s surge.
Andrew Gwynne is currently suspended by Labour (Image: PA)
The Mail on Sunday reports that Mr Burnham’s strategists have drawn up a shortlist of North West seats, including Gorton and Denton, currently held by suspended MP Andrew Gwynne.
Gwynne has sat as an independent since February 2025, following revelations of racist and sexist WhatsApp messages. He denies any plan to stand down for Mr Burnham, and no resignation has been announced.
A Labour MP backing Mr Burnham told the paper: “It’s happening. We are on the brink of securing a seat which is likely to come free shortly and where the polls say Andy would beat Reform.”
Sir Keir could block Mr Burnham’s selection through the party’s National Executive Committee, but sources say this would be seen as a damaging admission of weakness.
Former Deputy PM Angela Rayner (Image: Getty)
The alleged timeline involves a by-election before or alongside May 2026 local elections, widely expected to deliver heavy Labour losses and trigger a full leadership crisis.
Other potential challengers include Health Secretary Wes Streeting, accused of criticising the Government’s “technocratic” style, and former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who remains in contact with Mr Burnham’s camp and is rumoured to consider a joint ticket.
Mr Burnham’s position has been strengthened by the election of his ally, Lucy Powell, as deputy leader, although she publicly called for party unity behind Sir Keir.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has warned of an “epic battle” in any northern by-election, given his party’s strong polling in the region.
Labour currently trails Reform by double digits nationally, fuelling backbench panic over prospects of electoral disaster.
Sir Keir has dismissed leadership speculation as a distraction, while praising Mr Burnham’s mayoral record.
Yet the persistent claims underscore deepening divisions just 18 months into the Government’s term.
