Key Takeaways:
- Andy Burnham is planning to return to Westminster as an MP before the May local elections
- Burnham has identified a seat and is canvassing support for a potential leadership challenge
- Allies of Burnham have approached members of the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs for support
- Other potential leadership challengers, including Wes Streeting, may force a contest before May
- The Labour party is facing a potential leadership crisis, with some MPs calling for a change in leadership before the May elections
Introduction to the Labour Leadership Crisis
The Labour party is facing a potential leadership crisis, with speculation mounting that Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, is planning to return to Westminster as an MP before the May local elections. Burnham’s return could trigger a leadership challenge, with allies of the former health secretary already canvassing support among Labour MPs. The party is facing a critical period, with the May elections potentially leading to a collapse in Labour’s fortunes and a subsequent leadership crisis for Sir Keir Starmer.
Burnham’s Plans for a Westminster Return
Burnham is understood to have identified a seat and is already meeting with MPs to discuss his potential return to Westminster. One source close to Burnham said that there were "a number of potential options open to him" and that he had identified one seat that was "nailed on". Burnham’s allies have also approached members of the Socialist Campaign Group of Labour MPs, including Richard Burgon, Diane Abbott, and John McDonnell, for support. Clive Lewis, who offered to give up his Norwich South seat to Burnham last month, is also a member of the group.
Support for Burnham’s Leadership Bid
Burnham’s supporters have been actively canvassing support among Labour MPs, with some suggesting that the socialist group has been promised at least one minister in his cabinet. Allies of Burnham have also approached Angela Rayner, the former deputy prime minister, to discuss a potential pact to avoid splitting the left. Richard Burgon, the Labour MP for Leeds East, has appeared to back Burnham for leader, saying that the next leader should not be a member of the cabinet. Burgon’s comments have been seen as a significant boost to Burnham’s leadership bid, with some MPs viewing him as a potential challenger to Starmer.
The Road to a Leadership Contest
Triggering a leadership contest would require the support of at least 80 Labour MPs. Burnham’s route back to Westminster would also require Labour’s ruling national executive committee (NEC) to approve his seat selection. It has previously been claimed that Burnham was given assurances that the NEC would not block him, but it has also been reported that Morgan McSweeney, the prime minister’s chief of staff, would stop him getting onto any shortlist. With the May elections looming, some MPs are calling for a change in leadership before the elections, with one senior Labour MP saying that "if you are, Wes, what are you waiting for? The path to power is only going to get more crowded and MPs are getting increasingly worried about what’s going to happen in May."
The State of the Labour Party
The Labour party is facing a critical period, with some MPs calling for a change in leadership before the May elections. The party’s deputy leader, Lucy Powell, has urged colleagues to get behind Starmer and his government, saying that the party must come together and focus on the narrative of how Labour is "rewiring the country so it works more in the interest of ordinary people". However, with speculation mounting about Starmer’s future, some MPs are looking to Burnham as a potential alternative. Wes Streeting, the health secretary, has also been mentioned as a potential challenger, with some MPs urging him to "turn up the heat" on Starmer in recent weeks.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
The Labour party is facing a potential leadership crisis, with Andy Burnham’s planned return to Westminster potentially triggering a leadership challenge. With the May elections looming, the party is facing a critical period, and some MPs are calling for a change in leadership before the elections. Burnham’s supporters are actively canvassing support among Labour MPs, and his leadership bid has received a significant boost from Richard Burgon’s comments. As the party navigates this critical period, it remains to be seen whether Burnham will succeed in his bid to return to Westminster and potentially become the next leader of the Labour party.