Andy Burnham pulls out of speech amid speculation over Labour leadership challenge against Starmer
Andy Burnham withdrew from his opening speech the morning after the local election as speculation grew that he could challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labor leadership.
The Mayor of Greater Manchester was due to speak at the second annual Festival of Childhood at the Manchester Museum of Science and Industry on Friday.
But organizers said on Thursday evening that she would be replaced by Caroline Simpson, group chief executive of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
A spokesman for the children’s commissioner confirmed Mr Burnham was completely absent from the event.
The move comes amid reports suggesting Mr Burnham intends to return to Westminster in the coming weeks and harbors ambitions of challenging the Prime Minister.
This development comes as UK voters cast their votes in the Scottish and Welsh parliamentary elections on Thursday, as well as local council races in England, the most important indicator of public opinion since the 2024 general election.
Following the election, there are reports that MPs are moving to oust the Prime Minister in a bloodless coup, prompting Sir Tony Blair to make way for his successor, Gordon Brown.
Reports of plans to take action against Sir Keir come amid rumors of a possible leadership tilt from Health Secretary Wes Streeting, former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner or Mr Burnham.
Ms Rayner’s allies are confident she can win the support of the 81 MPs needed to mount a challenge; Mr Streeting is also said to have reached that number, but neither is said to have wanted to make the first move.
Mr Burnham, meanwhile, is tipped as the party favorite to replace the Prime Minister but will have many logistical hurdles to overcome before returning to Westminster if he tries to make a bid for No 10.
The Mayor of Manchester has named a number of seats where MPs are prepared to stand aside, triggering a by-election that could pave the way for his return to parliament. Guard.
The newspaper also reported that Mr Burnham’s supporters were trying to avoid a formal leadership challenge against the Prime Minister and were hoping to start a process to have him stand down after Labour’s results in the local elections.
Mr Burnham was blocked from standing in the Gorton and Denton byelection by Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) earlier this year after previous MP Andrew Gwynne quit, citing health reasons.
The NEC, which includes Sir Keir, said concerns about the cost of holding a new Manchester mayoral election and fears that Reform could take the mayoralty were behind the decision to block Burnham.
Mr Burnham, who served as health minister in Gordon Brown’s government, is also said to be preparing a progressive policy platform for the government. Guard.
