Andy Burnham has fuelled Labour leadership rumours by refusing to commit to serving a full term as Greater Manchester Mayor.
The former minister failed to quash speculation about his plans in an interview as Keir Starmer struggles to stabilise the government.
Mr Burnham stressed his ‘full intention’ was to remain in post until elections in May 2028. But he admitted he ‘didn’t know’ if he would try to become an MP again if there is a by-election in a Manchester seat.
The mayor also suggested a return would need to be a response to demands for a new leader, telling BBC local radio it would not be him ‘putting himself right out there again’. He ran unsuccessfully against Jeremy Corbyn in 2015.
The latest sign of manoeuvres against Sir Keir came as a poll put Labour on its lowest ever support of just 16 per cent. The Find Out Now research found Reform was way ahead on 34 per cent backing – although the firm has consistently detected bigger advantages for Nigel Farage‘s party than other pollsters.
Andy Burnham failed to quash speculation about his plans in an interview as Keir Starmer struggles to stabilise the government
Mr Burnham has been the subject of frenzied interest amid the extraordinary meltdown at the heart of Downing Street.
Angela Rayner’s resignation a fortnight ago was followed by a panicky reshuffle ‘reset’, which was immediately derailed by the furore over Lord Mandelson.
MPs have been openly warning that Sir Keir could be ‘gone’ by May if local elections are as bad as feared.
There have been claims that allies of Ms Rayner are mooting a comeback on a ‘joint ticket’ with Mr Burnham.
Asked on BBC Radio Manchester why he was tied up in the speculation, Mr Burnham said: ‘Westminster’s in flux isn’t it… whenever Westminster’s in flux I get dragged in.’
Mr Burnham stressed he had never ruled out going back to the Commons. ‘I do watch what’s going on down there so I wouldn’t say not,’ he said.
But he added: ‘This is the thing I want to get over to people – it wouldn’t be me sort of saying right I’m going to put myself right out there again. It would have to sort of come in a different direction of people…’
Pressed if would fight a by-election in Greater Manchester if one came up, Mr Burnham said: ‘I honestly don’t know, it’s a hypothetical question.’
While stressing his intention of seeing out his full term as mayor, Mr Burnham said: ‘If events change, I’m not necessarily going to be stuck religiously in one way of thinking.’
MPs have been openly warning that Sir Keir (pictured) could be ‘gone’ by May if local elections are as bad as feared
