The political landscape in the UK is abuzz with speculation that Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, may be poised to make a move towards the Labour leadership. The potential opening in the Gorton and Denton constituency, following the resignation of former Labour minister Andrew Gwynne, has fueled rumours that Burnham could be eyeing a return to Parliament for the first time in nearly a decade.
Burnham, who has been widely hailed as the “King of the North” for his high-profile role in the region, has not yet indicated whether he intends to stand in the upcoming by-election or challenge Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership. However, several Labour MPs have reportedly been privately expressing their dissatisfaction with the party’s direction and dire polling under Starmer’s tenure.
The path to Downing Street for Burnham would not be without its challenges. First, he would need to be approved by the Labour Party’s governing body, the National Executive Committee (NEC), which oversees the candidate selection process. Given Burnham’s status as a sitting mayor, he would need to seek the NEC’s express permission before seeking nomination.
Furthermore, Burnham would have to win the by-election in Gorton and Denton, where recent polling suggests a tight race with Reform UK and the Greens posing a threat to Labour’s traditional dominance in the constituency. However, Burnham’s personal popularity, especially in Greater Manchester, could give him a significant advantage.
If successful in securing a seat in the House of Commons, Burnham would then need to gather the support of at least 20% of Labour MPs, equivalent to 81 members, to launch a leadership challenge. While several Labour MPs have already expressed their willingness to back Burnham, the ultimate decision would lie with the party’s members nationwide.
Crucially, a successful leadership bid by Burnham would mark a historic achievement, as no sitting mayor has ever become Prime Minister through this route. However, with Burnham currently ranked as the UK’s most popular politician and Sir Keir Starmer facing growing unpopularity, the odds may well be in the “King of the North’s” favour.