He is the Higher Manchester mayor who just isn’t afraid to talk his thoughts – and has been rumoured to have been contemplating a return to Westminster politics for some time.
However, these rumours have ramped up just lately following the resignation of deputy PM Angela Rayner over her tax affairs and the sacking of the UK’s ambassador to the US Lord Mandelson over his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.
The resignation of Quantity 10’s director of technique, Paul Ovenden, over sexually express messages he despatched about MP Diane Abbott, and accusations the PM’s high aide, Morgan McSweeney, didn’t declare greater than £700,000 in donations, haven’t helped.
Mr Burnham has fuelled rumours he’s plotting a management problem after saying Labour MPs are privately urging him to take action, refusing to rule out a Westminster return, and setting out a manifesto of insurance policies to “turn the country around”.
“People have contacted me throughout the summer – yeah,” the previous minister advised The Telegraph just lately, when requested if Labour MPs had inspired him to attempt to problem Sir Keir.
“I’m not going to say to you that that hasn’t happened.
“However as I say, it is extra a call for these individuals than it’s for me.”
He added: “I stood twice to be leader of the Labour Party. And I think that tells you, doesn’t it?”
Picture:
Andy Burnham with Chancellor Rachel Reeves and then-transport minister Louise Haigh in 2024
King of the North
A former minister beneath Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, Mr Burnham unsuccessfully tried to grow to be Labour chief in 2010 (Ed Miliband received) and in 2015 (Jeremy Corbyn received), then stood down as an MP to (efficiently) grow to be Higher Manchester’s mayor in 2017.
Often known as the “King of the North”, having been re-elected as mayor thrice, beneath his management, Manchester’s economic system has grown quicker than any main UK metropolis exterior London.
He has additionally grow to be well-known for being at odds with Sir Keir, criticising his welfare cuts plan, calling for a grooming gangs nationwide inquiry, and urging the federal government to not water down the Hillsborough Legislation.
In Might, he gave a speech at a Compass occasion, a soft-left (or center) Labour grouping, the place he stated Labour’s mission needs to be to be a “unifying, popular left”, not a “divisive, popular right”, and gave an alternative choice to Rachel Reeves’ fiscal guidelines.
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Mainstream
In early September, he helped launch Mainstream, a soft-left marketing campaign group described because the “new home for Labour’s radical realists” – a “democratic socialist alternative”.
The group is geared toward altering how Labour operates, however may very well be was a management marketing campaign.
It kicked off its existence with a punchy response to Lord Mandelson’s sacking, with Mainstream’s nationwide coordinator, Luke Hurst, accusing Sir Keir of operating a “narrow and brittle political project”.
This was interpreted by some as a direct problem to Sir Keir by Mr Burnham as, regardless that the phrases didn’t come from him, he’s backing the group.
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Burnham would have to be an MP
Mainstream didn’t need to touch upon whether or not the mayor is planning on difficult Sir Keir for the highest job.
Mr Burnham would want an MP to face down for him to attempt to grow to be an MP earlier than a basic election, to then problem Sir Keir.
It’s understood Gorton and Denton MP Andrew Gwynne, who sits as an impartial after his Labour suspension, was probably standing down however is now not – so his seat is presently out of the query.
Picture:
Manchester has boomed beneath Andy Burnham’s management. Pic: PA
If a by-election did come up, Mr Burnham must give up as mayor, which he has promised to do till 2028, then would want the backing of Labour’s Nationwide Govt Committee (and doubtless Sir Keir) to face, and would most probably need to battle Reform to win.
If he misplaced, it’s unlikely he might return to being mayor.
But when he did grow to be an MP, he would then want 20% of Labour MPs to appoint him to problem Sir Keir, forward of getting help from unions and native Labour groupings, after which members.
Mr Burnham advised BBC Radio Manchester he had advised MPs urging him to problem Sir Keir, “it’s not up to me, that’s a matter for you, the party in parliament”, however stated there must be a “proper plan for the country and a proper plan to beat Reform”.
Holding everybody guessing, he added he has “no intention of just abandoning” Manchester.
Picture:
Andy Burnham with then-Labour chief Ed Miliband and Liz Kendall in 2013. Pic: PA
Is Burnham as PM a actuality?
The query is, if Mr Burnham turns into an MP does he stand a severe probability of difficult Sir Keir?
Mr Burnham is seen to achieve throughout the social gathering, from arduous left to left of centre, one thing Sir Keir has struggled with, as evidenced by the welfare insurrection.
The Higher Manchester mayor can also be seen as communicator, each in private and non-private – once more, one thing that has let Sir Keir down, most just lately with the timing of what he knew and when over Lord Mandelson’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.
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Trevor’s Takeaway: Burnham one to look at
Keep watch over Burnham
Requested about whether or not Mr Burnham ought to come again as an MP, minister Peter Kyle gave an enormous trace as to what number of view him.
Trevor stated Mr Kyle’s feedback translate to: “Andy, if you’re thinking about coming back to the House of Commons and putting yourself forward as a potential successor to Keir, stop thinking about it.
“Be sure you keep watch over Andy Burnham.”
Timing, as ever, is also key.
His allies have said he needs to become an MP “asap” – by next May, when local elections are, because that will signal what voters think of the Labour Party and its leader.
Mr Burnham said it was “for different individuals in Westminster to decide” about whether he runs again for the leadership, but insisted he was not “plotting to get again”.
If he does make the soar to grow to be an MP, the favored politician might pose a big menace to Sir Keir – but it surely won’t be a fast or simple course of.
