Andy Burnham was told to stick to local politics today amid claims he is plotting a return to Westminster to replace Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader and Prime Minister.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle this morning bluntly suggested the Greater Manchester mayor stay in the North West, amid increasing speculation that he could contest a local seat if a Labour MP quits.
The former Labour minister could then return to Parliament in time for a leadership contest to succeed Sir Keir Starmer if the Peter Mandelson scandal proves to be the final straw for despairing Labour MPs.
Burnham is being aided by disgruntled leftie MPs in what one told the Sun on Sunday was being called ‘The Etihad Coup’ because so many Manchester City fans had been sacked in a recent reshuffle.
Mr Kyle told Sky News‘ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips that Mr Burnham, who has been dubbed ‘the King In The North’ was ‘a real talent’.
But he added: ‘I think he is doing an incredible job in Manchester at the moment, I think Manchester really needs him.
‘I love working with him in Manchester. It would be a shame for Manchester to lose him.’
Mr Kyle also clashed with Manchester MP Graham Stringer after the latter suggested the PM ‘doesn’t seem to have the basic skills that most politicians have’.
Meanwhile, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage questioned whether Mr Burnham could win a seat if it is contested.
Business Secretary Peter Kyle this morning bluntly suggested the Greater Manchester mayor stay in the North West, amid increasing speculation that he could contest a local seat if a Labour MP quits.
The former Labour minister could then return to Parliament in time for a leadership contest to succeed Sir Keir Starmer if the Peter Mandelson scandal proves to be the final straw for despairing Labour MPs.
Mr Kyle told Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips that Mr Burnham, who has been dubbed ‘the King In The North’ was ‘a real talent’ who should stay in Manchester.
With Reform polling in second or first place in local seats, Mr Farage told The Mail on Sunday: ‘It would be an epic battle that could leave Burnham humiliated. We would give it everything that we have.’
His remarks come after reports that Mr Burnham was laying the groundwork for a leadership bid. The mayor has launched a campaign group calling on Downing Street to introduce wealth taxes, the nationalisation of utility companies and an end to the two-child benefit cap.
Mr Burnham is also backing Lucy Powell in the deputy leadership race. Labour MPs say that if she beats Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, the Starmerite candidate, then Mr Burnham would already have ‘one foot in Downing Street’.
However, the threat posed by Reform is highlighted by the fact that Ms Powell’s own seat, Manchester Central, would fall to Reform on current polling. Mr Burnham, who has been dubbed ‘The King of the North’, is the only Labour politician with a net positive approval rating – but is not a sitting MP.
Labour sources have said that one of Manchester’s MPs, who is in ill health, is ready to step down to pave the way for him.
Local sources in the city say that they are sceptical the mayor would risk the move, given the local strength of Reform and the fact that he would have to surrender his plum job before entering the contest.
Mr Burnham, who is expected to criticise Sir Keir at Labour’s annual party conference this month, has launched Mainstream, a network of members who are critical of the Prime Minister.
A spokesman for the group did not deny that it could become a leadership vessel for Mr Burnham modelled on Labour Together, a think-tank that helped win Sir Keir the leadership five years ago.
It comes after a series of MPs from the left of the party broke cover to criticise the PM’s leadership.
Last week Clive Lewis publicly questioned Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership, telling the BBC the Prime Minister does not seem ‘up to the job’.
Barry Gardiner meanwhile said ‘toxic’ resentment was festering among the party’s MPs and rank and file members.
