A former Labour minister, Andrew Gwynne, has announced his resignation as an MP, opening the door for a potential by-election in his Gorton and Denton constituency. This development has fueled speculation that Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, could be eyeing a return to Westminster to challenge Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership.
Gwynne, who had previously denied any plans to vacate his seat, has been on sick leave from Parliament. His departure creates an opportunity for Burnham, who has been widely tipped as a possible successor to Starmer should the latter’s position as prime minister become untenable.
Burnham, who has been vocal about his leadership ambitions in the past, has distanced himself from the latest reports, saying he is “in the dark” about a potential by-election. However, senior Labour figures have suggested that Burnham could be a strong candidate to take on Starmer, particularly as the party braces for a potentially disastrous set of local and devolved elections in May.
The timing of the by-election, which is expected to coincide with the May elections, could work in Burnham’s favor. It would allow him to potentially return to Parliament just as Starmer faces his biggest challenges in office, including the prospect of a wipeout for Labour in some areas.
Burnham’s appeal to the wider electorate and his support within the Labour Party have been touted as his key strengths, with some experts suggesting he could be the party’s best hope of keeping Nigel Farage’s Reform UK at bay. However, not all Labour MPs are enthusiastic about the idea, with one describing it as a “distraction” the party can ill afford.
As the situation continues to unfold, the political landscape in Westminster is set to become even more intriguing, with the potential for a high-stakes showdown between Burnham and Starmer looming on the horizon.
