As rumours swirl of Andy Burnham’s interest in running in the Gorton and Denton by-election, a “Stop Andy” campaign has emerged among allies of the Prime Minister. Many interpret Burnham’s bid to return to Parliament as the first step towards a challenge to Keir Starmer’s leadership of the Labour Party.
Starmerites argue that Burnham’s return to Westminster would undermine the government, but the Labour mayor enjoys the support of powerful party figures, including deputy leader Lucy Powell and former leader Ed Miliband. Burnham has assured the party that he would be there to support the government, not undermine it, but scepticism remains.
The cost of a mayoral by-election campaign in Greater Manchester, estimated at around £500,000, is seen by some NEC sources as a reason to block Burnham’s candidacy. However, the powerful lineup of party figures backing Burnham could cause significant disquiet if he is prevented from running.
Burnham’s regional approval ratings are high, with Ipsos polling showing him on +25 among voters in the North West – the only politician with a positive rating in the region. This stands in stark contrast to Nigel Farage’s -29 and Keir Starmer’s -40.
While a leadership challenge is not automatic if Burnham returns to Parliament, the May elections present a moment of great peril for Starmer. With Burnham in position to strike, some Labour MPs fear that a coup less than two years after winning a huge majority would cast the party in the same light as the Conservatives, who have had five prime ministers in less than 10 years.
As the Labour party navigates this potential power struggle, the focus will be on whether Burnham can overcome the “Stop Andy” campaign and secure his return to Westminster, and how this may impact Starmer’s leadership.
