Andy Burnham's provocative challenge to Starmer shows he is serious

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At the party conference location, a fairly new prime minister is facing challenges in gaining popularity within his party and the country as a whole, amidst grim economic realities. Enter a popular, plain-speaking mayor who is being touted as a potential future leader, and he is not shying away from the speculation. In 2012, it was David Cameron and Boris Johnson, but in 2025, the spotlight is on Sir Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham.

Unlike the usual subtle hints and deniable suggestions from politicians eyeing leadership roles, Burnham’s approach is more direct and overt. When questioned by the Telegraph, the Manchester mayor admitted to being contacted by Labour MPs about the possibility of leading the party and potentially becoming prime minister. Despite claiming that the decision lies with others, Burnham’s openness about the situation is hard to ignore.

For Burnham to make a serious run for Labour leadership and prime minister, he would first have to become an MP, triggering a complex path to Downing Street. A by-election would need to be held in a suitable constituency, likely in Greater Manchester or the north-west of England, which poses challenges as some local MPs have already ruled out stepping down for him. Then, he would need to secure Labour’s candidate selection and win the by-election in a challenging political climate for the party.

As Burnham publicly entertains the idea of a leadership challenge, his policy proposals such as higher council tax on expensive homes, investing in council housing, and adjusting income tax rates have stirred debate within the party. By challenging the economic orthodoxy embraced by current party leaders, Burnham’s interventions have created tension and uncertainty within Labour ranks. While the road to leadership may be arduous, Burnham’s willingness to navigate it openly is causing ripples in the political landscape

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