Andy Burnham today stopped short of ruling out a return to the Commons so he can challenge struggling Keir Starmer.
The Manchester Mayor is at the centre of renewed speculation after a rebel MP dramatically offered to give up his seat.
Left-winger Clive Lewis said yesterday that he does not believe the PM can recover from dire polls, with a disastrous Budget and local elections looming.
Asked about the suggestion this morning, Mr Burnham said he ‘appreciated the support’.
He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he was ‘fully focused on my role as Mayor of Greater Manchester’ – although he did not explicitly dismiss the idea.
Pressed on whether he might make a comeback, Mr Burnham moaned that ‘part of the country’s problem is the political culture of Westminster’.
Andy Burnham is at the centre of renewed speculation after a rebel MP dramatically offered to give up his seat
Sir Keir’s allies have been arguing there is no viable successor, with growing numbers of critics unable to unite around an alternative candidate
Left-winger Clive Lewis said he does not believe the PM can recover from dire polls, with a disastrous Budget and local elections looming
Sir Keir’s allies have been arguing there is no viable successor, with growing numbers of critics unable to unite around an alternative candidate.
There are claims that more than 80 MPs are ready to support an effort to oust the PM – which would meet the threshold for triggering a contest.
Some ministers are now said to regard Sir Keir being replaced as ‘inevitable’.
Manchester Mayor Mr Burnham is still often touted as a successor, despite a humiliating implosion at a Labour conference after he hinted at making a run.
After maintaining his silence yesterday, Mr Burnham was unveiling plans on affordable housing this morning.
He said of Mr Lewis’s offer: ‘I appreciate the support but I couldn’t have brought forward a plan of the kind that I have brought forward today without being fully focused on my role as mayor of Greater Manchester.
‘And I am providing leadership on growth which is what I think the country needs, and is helpful to the country right now.
‘We’re doing this in advance of the Budget I hope to really bring to life the growth story for the government.’
Mr Burnham added: ‘I think part of the country’s problem is the political culture of Westminster which is playing out in front of us right now.
‘In Greater Manchester we’ve built a new economy and a new way of doing politics, and more of that is what the country needs.’
