Cliff Notes – Labour Party is disarray after Starmer’s leadership is questioned
- Andy Burnham has indicated support from Labour MPs for a potential leadership challenge against Sir Keir Starmer amid government turmoil and a recent cabinet reshuffle.
- He has articulated a “plan to turn the country around,” advocating for higher council tax on expensive homes and a 50p income tax rate for high earners, while also proposing public control over key services.
- Burnham’s future ambitions hinge on securing a parliamentary seat, with indications that dissent exists within the Labour Party regarding Starmer’s leadership approach and popularity.
Andy Burnham says Labour MPs want him to oust Starmer
Andy Burnham has claimed Labour MPs are privately urging him to challenge the prime minister, as he unveiled his “plan to turn the country around”.
The mayor of Greater Manchester, who served in Gordon Brown’s cabinet, has been tipped to make a return to Westminster.
Speculation has ramped up amid a rough start to the new parliamentary term for the government, with Sir Keir Starmer forced into a cabinet reshuffle and the sacking of his ambassador to the US.
The man of the people
Speaking to The Telegraph and the New Statesman, Mr Burnham has further fuelled rumours that he is plotting another leadership challenge. He lost to Ed Miliband in 2010 and the most popular leader at the time, Jeremy Corbyn in 2015.
“People have contacted me throughout the summer – yeah,” the former minister told The Telegraph when asked if Labour MPs had encouraged him to try again.
“I’m not going to say to you that that hasn’t happened.
“But as I say, it’s more a decision for those people than it is for me.”
He added: “I stood twice to be leader of the Labour Party. And I think that tells you, doesn’t it?”
New Housing Secretary Steve Reed suggests that Mr Burnham is taking “pot shots” at Sir Keir, who he said “picked this party up off the floor and led us to a record breaking general election victory”. Which is inflammatory in itself.
He said Mr Burnham is doing a “great job” as a mayor but defended the PM’s record.
Climate of fear
Mr Burnham refused to rule out making a challenge before May 2026, widely seen as the point at which some Labour MPs feel Sir Keir’s time could be up – if the party does badly in the next set of local elections.
They include London, while the Scottish and Welsh parliaments are also up for grabs.
In a direct criticism of Sir Keir, Mr Burnham said Number 10 had created a “climate of fear” among MPs and created “alienation and demoralisation” within the party.
The government has already run up against its own backbenchers over issues including welfare cuts, the winter fuel payment changes, and the two-child benefit cap.
A debate continues to rage on tax ahead of the budget, with the Chancellor being told significant increases are needed.
Labour remain behind Reform UK in the polls, having seen their popularity plummet since the 2024 general election, while the prime minister is also unpopular with the public.
He notably sparred with Boris Johnson during the pandemic, and became known as the “King in the North”.