Senior Labour figures are reportedly embroiled in a high-stakes political manoeuvre, with sources claiming a pact has been struck between Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.
The Alleged Leadership Pact
According to insiders, Angela Rayner has agreed to support Andy Burnham should he launch a bid to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader and Prime Minister. In return, she would be reinstated as Deputy Prime Minister and handed a significant, though unspecified, senior Cabinet position.
Labour MPs backing Mr Burnham have suggested the deal is already in place. One MP supporting the mayor stated: 'My understanding is that the deal has been done. Angie would go back to being deputy and get a plum Cabinet job.'
Burnham's Search for a Commons Seat
A critical hurdle for any Burnham leadership challenge is his need to secure a seat in the House of Commons. He has been actively searching for a safe Labour constituency in the North of England.
Allies recently indicated they had identified a seat 'likely to come free' in the coming months, which polling suggests the so-called 'King of the North' could win. While the seat was not named, sources say Mr Burnham has held talks with MPs in safe Liverpool seats and has monitored the situation in Manchester, where MP Andrew Gwynne is currently suspended from the Labour Party.
It was reported that discussions took place with Dan Carden, the MP for Liverpool Walton, who holds a massive majority of 20,245. However, those talks are said to have stalled and 'just didn't go anywhere'.
Political Repercussions and Denials
Securing Ms Rayner's endorsement would provide a substantial boost to any Burnham campaign. The former deputy leader retains strong support among Labour members, who would ultimately vote in any leadership contest.
This alleged arrangement would, however, be a significant setback for Health Secretary Wes Streeting's own leadership ambitions. Reports had previously suggested Mr Streeting's allies had also approached Ms Rayner about forming a 'joint ticket'.
Some within the party have expressed concern about the regional 'optics', as both potential leaders hail from the North West. A suggested solution would be for Ms Rayner, who faces a threat from Reform UK in her Ashton-under-Lyne seat, to move to a safe Labour seat in the South East, closer to her new property in Hove.
Both camps have firmly denied the reports. A spokesman for Andy Burnham dismissed talk of a deal with Ms Rayner or approaches to sitting MPs as 'rubbish'. A source close to Ms Rayner similarly stated: 'There is no vacancy and there is no pact.'
Meanwhile, Chancellor Rachel Reeves issued a veiled warning to Mr Burnham, reminding him he had pledged to serve a full term as Mayor of Manchester, stating: 'I think that is the right thing to do.'
