A Question Time audience forced Andy Burnham to fess up to what everyone already knows – that the Makerfield by-election could determine who holds the keys to No10
Andy Burnham finally said the quiet part out loud.
As he seeks a return to Westminster through a tough by-election in Makerfield, the Greater Manchester Mayor has stayed tight-lipped about what comes next. Until Thursday night, when the Question Time audience forced him to fess up to what everyone already knows – that this by-election could determine who holds the keys to No10.
Mr Burnham, who is desperate to make the by-election about Makerfield not Westminster, said he would enter a leadership race he claimed Wes Streeting has already launched since he quit the Cabinet last month.
Downing Street bared its teeth, issuing a statement while the show was still airing saying a contest had not been triggered and the PM “will not walk away from the mandate he was given just two years ago.”
There is no question that a shadow leadership contest is underway. But someone needs to pull the trigger.
Team Burnham said he had no choice but to answer the question – and said the response on the doorstep since had been overwhelmingly positive.
A source said: “He wasn’t given much room for manoeuvre in the question, it was quite direct and not something he would have offered up, but because of the style of the question, it was basically an ultimatum about being honest, and it is something voters bring up with him.
“He’s been open about how trust in politics is dissolving rapidly, and part of dealing with that is about giving honest answers. There’s been loads of positive feedback on the doors, and on his morning run people were pulling over to say they watched.”
Mr Streeting’s camp insist he won’t allow Mr Burnham a coronation. There is scepticism in Westminster that the ex-Health Secretary has the 81 MP backers needed to mount a challenge – which he insists he does.
His allies argued that a leadership contest is needed to thrash out the future direction of the party if it wants a shot at winning the next election.
“We need a proper policy debate and whoever wins will come out stronger for having run their ideas through the wringer,” a source said. “One of the problems for Keir is he has lost the support of the PLP and Parliament.
“His ability to get things through has been shot since welfare [last year’s revolt over benefit cuts]. You need a leader with a proper mandate.”
The ally added: “Wes thinks he’s got the ideas and would be the best candidate.”
One Starmer backer said a leadership race was a bad idea – and warned Mr Burnham could not assume he had support across the party. The MP said: “Wes Streeting came in all guns blazing, and look how that turned out – because he didn’t get enough nominations.
“It’s all very well (for Burnham) to talk a good game when you’re outside, but once you’re in, you’re going to have to secure enough support within the PLP and the membership – and don’t underestimate the Prime Minister.”
But another said Mr Starmer and his team needed to realise his premiership was coming to an end. They said: “They don’t care about the party or the country.”
One MP, who is supportive of Burnham, said he did the right thing being honest about his intentions. They said: “It will be up to others to determine if they wish to stand for the leadership of the Labour Party, but it is clear that Andy has the qualities needed to return Labour back to its principal purpose and to address the real challenges people are facing across our communities.”
Despite the private muttering, an uneasy peace is holding while Labour awaits the results of this most consequential by-election. Don’t expect that to last.