Labour Deputy Leader Casts Doubt on Burnham's National Leadership Prospects
A senior Labour ally has openly questioned whether Andy Burnham's strong regional identity might hinder his ability to appeal to the entire nation, dealing a subtle blow to his leadership aspirations. Lucy Powell, the party's deputy leader, offered measured praise for the Greater Manchester mayor but stopped short of endorsing him as a potential successor to Keir Starmer.
Powell's Cautious Assessment of Burnham's Qualities
Ms Powell, who supported Mr Burnham's unsuccessful attempt to return to Parliament last month, acknowledged his significant achievements as a champion for Manchester and the broader North. However, she suggested that the very qualities that make him effective in his current role might not seamlessly transfer to the demanding position of Prime Minister.
'Being PM is a tough, tough job, with challenges arriving daily from across the globe,' Ms Powell remarked during an interview on LBC radio. 'He is undoubtedly an asset to our party, but leading Greater Manchester is fundamentally different from leading the entire country.'
She elaborated further, noting: 'People in Greater Manchester and across the North know he is on their side and fights for our region. That specific trait might not translate as effectively when you are responsible for standing up for the whole nation.' Despite this, she affirmed she would support Mr Burnham 'in whatever he chooses to do.'
Broader Context of Labour's Internal Turmoil
This intervention comes amidst intensifying speculation surrounding Sir Keir Starmer's leadership. The Prime Minister recently navigated what former Labour leader Ed Miliband described as a 'moment of peril,' with MPs and ministers briefly considering ousting him before ultimately rallying support. This instability was exacerbated by Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar's public call for Sir Keir to resign, citing 'too many mistakes' in office.
Adding to the chaos, Health Secretary Wes Streeting was compelled to deny fresh allegations that he is conspiring to depose Sir Keir in the coming weeks. Although Mr Streeting refuted the claims, allies indicated he felt the need to 'act quickly,' and suspicions persist within Number 10.
In another bizarre episode, Armed Forces Minister Al Carns was forced to disavow an 'Al Carns for Leader' website discovered by the New Statesman magazine. Mr Carns, a former Special Forces officer who entered Parliament only in 2024, admitted to friends he harbours prime ministerial ambitions but insisted the website was not his creation and reaffirmed his 'full support' for Sir Keir. Similarly, former deputy PM Angela Rayner denied any involvement with a leadership website that briefly appeared online in January.
Polling Data Reflects Widespread Discontent
Recent polling data underscores the profound challenges facing Sir Keir. A More in Common survey revealed that voters believe he should resign by a significant margin of 48% to 18%. Strikingly, even 42% of Labour voters think it would benefit the country if the Prime Minister stepped down this year.
Furthermore, the poll indicated that 61% of voters judge Sir Keir's handling of the Peter Mandelson scandal poorly, highlighting a critical erosion of public confidence. These figures paint a stark picture of a party grappling with internal dissent and external scepticism as it approaches crucial electoral tests.
