Andy Burnham has left the door open for a potential return to Parliament amid speculation about his ambitions for a future Labour leadership bid. In an interview with the BBC, the Greater Manchester Mayor expressed his commitment to serving in his current role until May 2028 but remained uncertain about seeking a parliamentary seat if one became available in his area.
During his conversation with BBC Radio Manchester, the former Health Secretary, who previously worked under Gordon Brown, acknowledged the fluid nature of Westminster politics and his potential involvement, stating, “Westminster’s in flux isn’t it… whenever Westminster’s in flux I get dragged in.” He emphasized that he has never dismissed the idea of returning to Westminster and keeps a close eye on developments there.
Despite rumors suggesting he may be preparing for a leadership challenge, Burnham sought to downplay such speculations, emphasizing that any decision to pursue a leadership role would need to come from others rather than himself.
When asked about the possibility of standing in a by-election in Greater Manchester, Burnham maintained uncertainty, describing it as a hypothetical scenario and indicating a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances rather than sticking rigidly to a single course of action.
While Burnham is considered a frontrunner in a potential leadership contest should Keir Starmer step down before the general election, recent events, including the resignation of deputy PM Angela Rayner over a stamp duty issue and scrutiny over Lord Mandelson’s appointment as US Ambassador, have raised questions about his judgment. Other hypothetical contenders for the leadership position include Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
Burnham has publicly endorsed Lucy Powell in the party’s deputy leadership race, where she is up against Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson. Powell, who was removed as the leader of the House of Commons in a recent reshuffle by Starmer, dismissed suggestions of the contest being a proxy battle between Burnham and the Prime Minister, highlighting the strength of the female candidates and criticizing the focus on male rivalry as sexist.