Andy Burnham hits back at claims he is plotting to replace Sir Keir Starmer as PM
Andy Burnham has responded to renewed speculation that he plans to return to Westminster and oust Sir Keir Starmer from the Labor leadership.
The mayor of Greater Manchester, who was the focus of similar rumors at the Labor Party conference in September, reacted angrily to reports in Sunday newspapers about his alleged plans.
Turning to X, he said: “There’s quite a bit of nonsense in the papers today. It reminds me of why I left Westminster!”
Former Labor Secretary Mr Burnham, who has repeatedly refused to openly reject a leadership bid in recent months, is said to have identified a potential parliamentary seat that could challenge Sir Keir.
Mail on Sunday He reported that the mayor’s allies in the Commons have told him they have found a seat that is “likely to remain free” in the coming months. Mr Burnham’s team declined to comment.
But it came as home secretary Shabana Mahmood, another potential candidate for Sir Keir’s job, dodged questions about her own plans.
Just days after a high-profile event with Sir Tony Blair, he did not deny he wanted to take up a senior post, which he saw as a sign of the former Prime Minister’s support for him as the next leader.
Insisting that Labor figures should “focus on the day-to-day business” of serving the public and that Sir Keir “will not be going away”, Ms Mahmood said “there is a Muslim woman as home secretary”, which means there could be one person as prime minister in the future.
The ongoing speculation comes as Labor continues to struggle in the polls, falling around 10 points behind Nigel Farage and Reform on just around 20 per cent, with many also turning towards the Greens.
In addition, last week it was revealed that 100,000 previously paid Labor members had left the party since last year’s election, making it the largest member party in Reform.
Downing Street has already addressed concerns that health secretary Wes Streeting is planning to oust the Prime Minister, while Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has also reported that Labor leader and former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner wants to return to the senior position.
But amid fresh speculation about Mr Burnham’s ambitions, the home secretary said everyone in the party had “a role to play” in supporting the government following reports that the Greater Manchester mayor was seeking a return to Westminster, which his allies did not deny.
Speaking to broadcasters on Sunday, Ms Mahmood suggested “everyone” was thinking of the most important job but added: “This is not the same as conspiring to topple a prime minister for God’s sake.”
Asked whether she would consider a leadership bid if Sir Keir resigned, Ms Mahmood told the BBC: Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg show: “Keir Starmer isn’t leaving.”
The interior minister, who previously stated that he had ambitions for No. 10, said: “The Prime Minister continues to do his job.
“I’m a member of his government. I have a big job to do, and that’s all I’m focused on.”
Ms Mahmood called on Labor MPs to make sure “we don’t waste even a second of the time we have in government”.
“I think all of us in government and in the Labor Party have a responsibility to focus on the day-to-day business and serve the British people,” he said.
“In fact, this is the responsibility of the whole government, the parliamentary Labor Party and the whole Labor movement to ensure that we do not waste even a second of our time in government.”
When asked about Mr Burnham he told Sky News: Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips programme: “Labour governments do not come very often and every minute we spend in government is precious. We have a big agenda. We must strive to deliver it.”
“It is a privilege to be in government. I am focused on the great job I have as home secretary, and my advice to all my colleagues around the world is that it is a precious privilege and we should not waste even a minute of it.”
He said: “No matter where you sit on the Labor side, we all have a part to play in supporting a Labor government to serve the people of this country.”
