Andy Burnham has refused to rule out challenging Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership, intensifying speculation about the Prime Minister's position. The Greater Manchester mayor repeatedly deflected questions about a potential leadership bid during multiple BBC interviews on Thursday, as internal Labour tensions continue to simmer.
Asked whether he would rule out a challenge to Starmer, Burnham told BBC Breakfast: «I am not going to sit here this morning and kind of rule out what might or might not happen in the future, because why would I. I don't know what the future will hold.» He added: «I don't know what the future might hold.»
The mayor appeared frustrated at being pressed on his Westminster ambitions. He criticized what he called the «political culture of Westminster», telling BBC Breakfast: «What do you want me to do or say…I'm here this morning to do my job and I hope you would let me do my job.»
Burnham insisted he was focused on his current role. Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said: «I couldn't have brought forward a plan of the kind that I brought forward today without being fully focused on my role as mayor of Greater Manchester.» He emphasized he was «providing leadership on growth which is what I think the country needs».
MP offers seat
The speculation follows an extraordinary offer from Labour MP Clive Lewis, who indicated he would vacate his Norwich South seat to enable Burnham's return to Parliament. Speaking to the BBC's Politics Live on Wednesday, 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.»
Lewis has called Starmer's position «not tenable» and is the only MP to publicly state the Prime Minister should step down. He urged Starmer to «put country before party» and quit as leader.
Burnham quit the Commons in 2017 to become Manchester mayor. He would need to return to Parliament to mount any leadership challenge.
Government dismisses plot talk
Government minister Josh MacAlister dismissed Lewis's offer. He told LBC Radio: «The Labour Party is a broad church. It's not going to surprise anybody to know that Clive is critical of the party's leadership.» He noted Lewis's Norwich South seat is «a long way away from Manchester».
MacAlister emphasized: «The Prime Minister has only recently become Prime Minister, he is the leader of our party, he secured a historic victory.» He said Starmer is focused on getting the UK out of the economic «doom loop» it has been in for years.
The leadership speculation dominated Labour's September conference, with reports that senior MPs are preparing for a potential leadership race. A YouGov survey found 23 percent of Labour voters believe Starmer should quit now, while 34 percent believe he should still lead Labour at the next general election due by 2029.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting and allies of Deputy Leader Angela Rayner have denied planning any coup attempt. Starmer has vowed to lead Labour into the next general election and criticized speculation over his future as time-wasting.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
