As the Labour Party struggles under Keir Starmer’s leadership, the spotlight has turned to Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, as a potential saviour. With a by-election looming in the traditionally safe Labour seat of Gorton, speculation is rife that Burnham could make a dramatic return to Westminster and even set his sights on the party’s top job.
Burnham, a former minister in the Blair and Brown governments, has already tried for the Labour leadership twice before – in 2010 and 2015. While he was defeated on both occasions, he has since found a new lease of life as the mayor of Greater Manchester, earning himself the moniker “King of the North”. With Starmer’s popularity waning and the party’s poll ratings in the doldrums, Burnham’s star appears to be on the rise once more.
However, Burnham has been coy about his Westminster ambitions, refusing to rule out a leadership challenge but also hesitating to confirm his intentions. This cautious approach has led some to question whether he has the killer instinct to take on Starmer and the party’s other potential contenders, such as Wes Streeting and Shabana Mahmood.
Burnham’s political journey has been a winding one, from his early days as a New Labour loyalist to his more recent embrace of a “soft left” agenda he has branded “Mancunian”. His defeats in the 2010 and 2015 leadership contests, the latter at the hands of the Corbynite surge, were undoubtedly bruising experiences, but he has emerged from them with a newfound sense of purpose and a regional power base that could prove invaluable.
As the mayor of Greater Manchester, Burnham has carved out a reputation as a champion of the North, clashing with the government over funding and the handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. This regional focus has resonated with voters and could give him an edge over his more London-centric rivals.
Yet, Burnham’s path to the top job is far from clear-cut. The party remains divided, and Starmer, for all his weaknesses, has managed to stave off a full-blown leadership challenge so far. Moreover, Burnham’s own record is not without blemishes, from his handling of the Hillsborough disaster to his mixed performance as a minister.
Nonetheless, with the Labour Party in desperate need of a fresh start, Burnham’s combination of regional appeal, political experience, and personal resilience could make him an attractive proposition for those seeking to end the party’s long spell in the wilderness. Whether he can seize the moment and fulfil his long-held ambitions remains to be seen.
