Andy Burnham has not ruled out the possibility of returning to Parliament amid speculation linking him to a potential Labour leadership bid. In an interview with the BBC, Burnham expressed his commitment to serving as Greater Manchester Mayor until May 2028 but admitted uncertainty about standing as an MP if a seat became available in his area.
During a conversation with BBC Radio Manchester, the former Health Secretary, who previously worked under Gordon Brown, acknowledged the evolving nature of Westminster politics and how he often gets drawn back into the mix. While Burnham stated that he has never completely dismissed the idea of returning to Westminster, he emphasized that any decision would need to align with the direction of others rather than solely his own initiative.
When asked about the possibility of standing in a by-election in Greater Manchester, Burnham responded that it was a hypothetical scenario, indicating a willingness to adapt to changing circumstances rather than being rigid in his approach. As a frontrunner in speculation to lead the Labour party should Keir Starmer step down before the general election, Burnham faces scrutiny over recent events, including the resignation of deputy PM Angela Rayner due to a stamp duty error and questions surrounding his judgement regarding the appointment of Peter Mandelson as Ambassador to the US.
While Burnham is seen as a favorite in a potential leadership race, he would need to regain a parliamentary seat to be eligible. Other hypothetical contenders include Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. Burnham has publicly endorsed Lucy Powell in the party’s deputy leadership contest, where she faces off against Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, who is seen as the government’s preferred candidate.
During the ongoing reshuffle within the Labour party, Powell, who was removed as leader of the House of Commons, dismissed claims that the deputy leadership race was a proxy battle between the Prime Minister and Burnham. She emphasized that it was a fair competition between two strong women and criticized the focus on gender dynamics rather than the candidates’ qualifications and platforms.