Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, has long been considered a potential future leader of the Labour Party. With Keir Starmer’s leadership faltering and the threat of the Reform party looming, Burnham’s star could be on the rise once again.
Burnham, a former minister in the Blair and Brown governments, has already made two unsuccessful bids for the Labour leadership – in 2010 and 2015. However, his time as mayor of Greater Manchester has seen him emerge as a prominent voice for the North, earning him the moniker “King of the North”.
The upcoming by-election in the safe Labour seat of Gorton, within Burnham’s northern fiefdom, has reignited speculation about his Westminster ambitions. Burnham has been careful to avoid directly addressing the leadership question, seemingly torn between his desire for straight-talking and his obvious political ambition.
Burnham’s political journey has been a curious one. He was once considered a rising star in the New Labour movement, but his defeats in the 2010 and 2015 leadership contests left him disillusioned with Westminster. His time as mayor, however, has seen him emerge as a more confident and charismatic political figure, with a strong regional profile and a populist appeal.
The Labour Party’s recent leadership turmoil has created an opening for Burnham, with many in the party viewing him as a potential saviour. However, the question remains whether Burnham would be able to translate his regional success into national leadership, and whether he has the policy substance to address the country’s pressing issues.
Burnham’s supporters argue that his “Mancunian” brand of “soft left” politics could be the antidote to the party’s woes, while his critics maintain that he lacks the strategic vision and policy depth to lead the Labour Party to victory. Ultimately, Burnham’s political future may hinge on whether he can convince the party and the country that he is the right person to take on the challenges facing the country.
