Starmer below menace over ‘Trojan Horse’ plot to smuggle rival again to exchange him
Keir Starmer continues to fight for his political career with Labour expected to suffer heavy losses in this week’s local elections – and he now faces a ‘Trojan Horse’ plot that could see him ousted
Starmer has been told to expect a ‘Trojan Horse’ plot(Image: Getty Images)
Ministers are discussing a “Trojan Horse” plot to smuggle Andy Burnham back to Westminster and replace Sir Keir Starmer.
The move is intended to make the popular Mr Burnham, currently Greater Manchester mayor, an MP again so he can mount a challenge against the Prime Minister.
Plans are in place for a sympathetic north west Labour MP to step aside as soon as next week in the wake of Labour’s expected electoral disaster.
But sources claim ministers would extend an olive branch to Sir Keir in return for his support for Mr Burnham’s return to the Commons.
They say Mr Burnham would be asked to make a public statement of loyalty to Sir Keir, preventing him from mounting an immediate leadership challenge.
Supporters say this would avoid plunging Labour into a chaotic snap leadership contest and would give the PM a final chance to prove himself.
But it would also leave Labour MPs with a ready-made successor if Sir Keir fails to deliver. Cabinet ministers say it will be presented as Sir Keir’s best opportunity to save his premiership.
One source said: “The attraction for Keir is there is no guarantee Andy will win the by-election. If he wants to be the candidate he will need to sign a loyalty oath to the Prime Minister.
“And it buys Keir a bit more time to see if he can turn things round.”
Another Burnham-backing MP said: “It’s increasingly clear that Andy is the answer. Starmer can’t keep on blocking him forever.
“And once he’s inside the walls then – like the Trojan Horse – he is in place and ready if the situation becomes unsustainable.”
But Sir Keir’s allies have dismissed the idea he would sanction a return for Mr Burnham.
It comes as millions of voters prepare to head to polling stations on Thursday in crucial elections across England, Wales and Scotland.
The battles represent Labour’s most significant electoral challenge since its overwhelming victory in 2024 – and could prove decisive in shaping Starmer’s destiny.
Polling experts have forecast that Labour could lose hundreds of councillors across England, surrender control of the Welsh Parliament and fall significantly short of success in Scotland, in a disastrous set of outcomes, reports the Mirror.
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