Andy Burnham dodges on Labour MP’s provide to QUIT so he can problem struggling Keir Starmer
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.’
Appearing on the BBC’s Politics Live yesterday, Mr Lewis confirmed he had spoken to Mr Burnham – but refused to say whether he knew he was ‘up for’ challenging.
Asked if he would give up his own Norwich South constituency so Mr Burnham could run, Mr Lewis said: ‘It’s a question I’ve asked myself… I’d have to consult with my wife… but if I’m going to sit here and say, country before party, party before personal ambition, then yes I have to say yes don’t I.’
Pressed that he was saying he would give up his seat for Mr Burnham, the Labour MP replied: ‘I would.’
Mr Lewis is the only MP so far to say publicly that Sir Keir should go.
Mr Lewis branded Health Secretary Wes Streeting (pictured) ‘self-serving’ after he criticised his offer to make way for Mr Burnham
The sense of turmoil at the heart of Government has been growing after an extraordinary pre-emptive strike against the PM’s Cabinet rivals backfired.
The premier was left defending his chief of staff Morgan McSweeney when Health Secretary Wes Streeting publicly attacked No10’s ‘toxic culture’ and ‘self-destruction’.
It then emerged that Sir Keir and Chancellor Rachel Reeves had performed a shambolic U-turn on plans to increase income tax at the Budget, despite weeks of blatant hints.
