Andy Burnham has withdrawn from a keynote speech scheduled for the morning after the local elections, as speculation intensifies regarding a potential Labour leadership challenge against Sir Keir Starmer.
Event Cancellation
The Greater Manchester Mayor was due to address the second annual Festival of Childhood at Manchester’s Science and Industry Museum on Friday. However, organisers announced on Thursday evening that Caroline Simpson, group chief executive of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, would replace him. A spokesperson for the children’s commissioner’s office confirmed Mr Burnham's complete absence from the event.
Leadership Rumours
This development comes amid reports that Mr Burnham intends to return to Westminster in the coming weeks and harbours ambitions to challenge the Prime Minister. The speculation unfolds as voters across the UK cast their ballots on Thursday in the Scottish and Welsh parliamentary elections, alongside local council contests in England. These elections represent the most significant test of public opinion since the 2024 general election.
There have been reports that MPs are moving to oust the Prime Minister in the wake of the elections, in a bloodless coup reminiscent of the way Sir Tony Blair was encouraged to step aside for Gordon Brown. Reports of backbench plans to move against Sir Keir come amid rumblings of potential leadership bids by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner, or Mr Burnham.
Allies of Ms Rayner are confident she would gain the support of the 81 MPs required to launch a challenge, a number which Mr Streeting is also said to have met, though neither is believed to want to be the first to act.
Burnham's Path to Westminster
Mr Burnham has been tipped as a party favourite to succeed the Prime Minister, but he would face several logistical hurdles before returning to Westminster should he seek to mount a bid for No 10. According to The Guardian, the Greater Manchester Mayor has identified several seats where MPs are prepared to step aside, triggering by-elections that could pave the way for his return to Parliament. The newspaper also reported that Mr Burnham’s supporters are attempting to avoid a formal leadership challenge against the Prime Minister, hoping instead to initiate a process for him to stand down after Labour’s local election results.
Earlier this year, Mr Burnham was blocked by Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election after the previous MP Andrew Gwynne stood down citing health reasons. The NEC, which included Sir Keir, cited concerns about the costs of running a new Manchester mayoral election and the fear that Reform could take the mayoralty as reasons for blocking Mr Burnham.
Mr Burnham, who served as health secretary in Gordon Brown’s government, is also said to be preparing a progressive policy platform for government, according to The Guardian.
