The mood within the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) is one of growing anxiety, with an increasing number of worried MPs viewing Mayor Andy Burnham as essential “electoral insurance” against a potential disaster in upcoming local elections. Burnham’s ambiguity is capitalizing on this fear.
The fear stems from Labour’s inconsistent national polling and the looming threat of the May local elections, which could serve as a trigger for a leadership challenge. Burnham’s calculated refusal to rule out a future bid is seen as a necessary safeguard by MPs who feel their own seats are vulnerable under the current leadership.
Starmer, attempting to reassure the PLP while en route to the G20 summit, publicly lauded Burnham’s popular regional work. He cited the Mayor’s “really impressive” leadership after the Manchester synagogue attack, attempting to persuade MPs that the current leadership is working effectively with its popular regional figures.
However, the Prime Minister was uncompromising in his criticism of the internal figures spreading rumors, specifically dismissing claims that Health Secretary Wes Streeting was plotting a coup. Starmer’s warning was implicitly aimed at the PLP: stop the distracting infighting and focus on delivering electoral results.
Meanwhile, Andy Burnham continues to promote his £1 billion Manchester growth plan, a popular initiative that bolsters his credentials as an electoral asset. His success in regional politics serves as a direct point of comparison, offering a lifeline to MPs desperate for a more secure political future.