Andy Burnham is set to make a comeback to the House of Commons next week, marking his return almost ten years after stepping down as an MP. The former Greater Manchester Mayor will be sworn in as the newest MP for Makerfield on Monday following his decisive victory over Nigel Farage’s Reform party in a crucial by-election.
During a celebratory event in the North West constituency on Friday, Burnham, who has expressed his intention to participate in any future Labour leadership contest, emphasized the need for a significant shift in policies that have failed to benefit the region for the past four decades. He highlighted the opportunity to bring about positive changes, restore faith in the political system, and instill hope in the populace.
In the aftermath of Burnham’s win, one of his key supporters, former Transport Secretary Louise Haigh, urged Keir Starmer to reflect on the election outcome and consider gracefully stepping down to avoid a potentially contentious leadership battle within the Labour Party.
There are calls from Burnham’s close allies for Keir Starmer to ponder his future over the weekend and prepare for a smooth handover of leadership. This process would likely involve the Prime Minister announcing his resignation and outlining a clear timetable for his departure from Downing Street. The likelihood of such a scenario could increase if members of the Cabinet, who have thus far shown public support for Starmer, signal that his leadership may be coming to an end soon.
However, for a seamless transition to Burnham’s leadership, it would be necessary for no other contenders to challenge his bid for the top position. While former Health Secretary Wes Streeting has expressed interest in standing for leadership and promoting a healthy debate within the party on its future course, an uncontested path for Burnham’s ascendancy to the Prime Minister’s office will depend on the absence of other ambitious Labour MPs vying for the same role.
In response to Burnham’s victory, the Prime Minister has maintained a defiant stance, asserting his intention to remain in office and fulfill his mandate from the 2024 election. As discussions between Burnham and the Prime Minister are expected to take place over the weekend, the outcome remains uncertain, with Burnham’s allies pressing for a clear indication of the Prime Minister’s exit plan.
Should the Prime Minister refuse to step down, a leadership challenge is likely to be triggered by Starmer’s opponents, setting the stage for a potential internal struggle within the Labour Party. As Starmer has affirmed his readiness to face any leadership contest initiated by his rivals, the prospect of a protracted and contentious leadership battle looms over the party, drawing parallels to the internal dynamics of the Conservative Party.
If a leadership challenge ensues, potential contenders must secure support from 20% of Labour MPs to advance their candidacy. The timing and process of the leadership contest would be overseen by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Labour Party, with the possibility of the outcome being announced before the party’s annual conference in late September.
Amid concerns of a prolonged leadership contest, suggestions have been made to expedite the selection process by allowing only MPs to decide the next leader, bypassing the involvement of party members. However, any alterations to the leadership selection method would necessitate approval from Labour’s governing body.