Andy Burnham ‘seeks advice’ from Starmer’s former chief of staff Sue Gray for potential government
Andy Burnham is said to be seeking advice from former senior civil servant Sue Gray on how he might form a future Labor government as rumors of a Labor leadership contest continue to grow.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester, who is believed to have his eye on No 10, has reportedly sought advice from Sir Keir Starmer’s former private secretary on how to manage the transition to Downing Street.
Guard He reported that he and Lady Gray were discussing how a future government might be formed; This suggests Mr Burnham’s chances of taking the throne are being taken seriously by senior figures in the Labor Party.
Lady Gray, who led the investigation into the ‘Partygate’ scandal in December 2021 He resigned from Downing Street in 2024 after what he called “intense commentary” on his role, amid a power struggle between him and Morgan McSweeney. Concerns also increased when it was revealed that he was paid more than the prime minister as a private secretary.
Mr Burnham is running in the Makerfield by-election, a key contest that will determine the future of Labor and the government.
If the Manchester mayor prevails, he is likely to use his return to Parliament as an opportunity to trigger a leadership contest against Sir Keir; Polls show he will win.
Conversations over leadership have exposed deep divisions within the Labor Party and thrown Sir Keir’s government into chaos.
The prime minister’s chief secretary, Darren Jones, a senior ally, warned the party on Sunday against playing “fantasy politics” that would distract from the country’s big challenges.
He told the BBC’s program with Laura Kuenssberg on Sunday: “There’s a lot of fantasy politics going on within the Labor Party at the moment… about who’s up, who’s down, who’s going to be in what position.”
“Britain is poorer and weaker than it should be,” he added, adding: “Whatever the individual ambitions of any of my colleagues, the big problems facing the country are still the big problems facing the country.
“There is no magic answer to any of this, because if there was we would implement it.”
But Mr Jones described Mr Burnham as a “fantastic politician” and said he would campaign for him in Makerfield.
Sir Keir has vowed to remain Labor leader despite calls from nearly 100 MPs to resign following disastrous local election results earlier this month.
The divisions within the cabinet have been laid bare after the dramatic resignation of Health Secretary Wes Streeting following days of intense speculation.
The Prime Minister insisted he would fight any official objections launched against him and defended his record at the weekend, saying “our plan is working” and that he “intends to continue to push forward”.
Burnham’s allies have suggested that Burnham may not immediately run for the party leadership if he is successful in his attempt to return to parliament in the June 18 election.
But Mr Streeting has spoken openly of launching a campaign to oust Sir Keir.
The MP and former health secretary told reporters on Friday that he was delaying triggering the leadership race to give Mr Burnham time to return to the House of Commons.
