Keir Starmer humiliated as Andy Burnham ‘coup plot’ on brink of major breakthrough | Politics | News
Sir Keir Starmer is facing fresh humiliation as Andy Burnham’s allies claim they are on the verge of securing a House of Commons seat for a bold leadership coup. The Mayor of Greater Manchester, long seen as Sir Keir’s chief rival and dubbed the “King of the North”, has clearly signaled his national ambitions.
In a recent ITV News interview, Mr Burnham said “if the call comes” for a bigger role “I wouldn’t give it up”. To achieve his leadership ambition, Mr. Burnham must return to Parliament; Given Labour’s decline in the polls and the rise of Reformation UK, its supporters insist the move is now imminent.
mail on sunday It has been reported that Mr Burnham’s strategists have drawn up a shortlist of North West seats, including Gorton and Denton, currently held by suspended MP Andrew Gwynne.
Gwynne has been serving as an independent since February 2025 after racist and sexist WhatsApp messages emerged. He rejects plans to stand down as Mr Burnham’s replacement, and no resignations have been announced.
A Labor MP who supports Mr Burnham told the newspaper: “This is happening. He is likely to be released shortly and we are on the verge of winning a seat where the polls say Andy will beat Reform.”
Sir Keir could block Mr Burnham’s election through the party’s National Executive Committee, but sources say this would be seen as a damaging admission of weakness.
The alleged timeline includes a by-election before or during the May 2026 local elections; This election is expected to lead to heavy Labor losses across the board and trigger a full-blown leadership crisis.
Other potential challengers include Health Secretary Wes Streeting, who has been accused of criticizing the Government’s “technocratic” style, and former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, who has maintained contact with Mr Burnham’s supporter and is said to be considering joint sentencing.
Mr Burnham’s position was strengthened by the election of his ally Lucy Powell as deputy leader, but he has publicly called for party unity behind Sir Keir.
UK Reform Leader Nigel Farage has warned there could be an “epic battle” in any by-election in the north, given his party’s strong polls in the region.
Labor is currently trailing Reform by double digits across the country, fueling background panic at the prospect of election disaster.
While Sir Keir praised Mr Burnham’s record as mayor, he described leadership speculation as a distraction.
However, persistent allegations emphasize that divisions have deepened with only 18 months left for the Government to take office.
