As Labour’s annual conference approaches, political intrigue is swirling around Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, who has found himself at the center of a storm over the party’s leadership and direction. With Labour’s poll numbers lagging behind Reform UK and internal discontent simmering, Burnham’s recent statements have fueled speculation about a possible leadership challenge to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer—a prospect that has both captivated and unsettled the party faithful.
Burnham, who previously served in Gordon Brown’s cabinet and twice ran unsuccessfully for Labour leader, has become a prominent voice in national politics since becoming mayor. During the pandemic, his high-profile clashes with then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson earned him the nickname “King in the North,” and he has since rebuilt his image as a champion of “aspirational socialism.” But now, with Labour’s fortunes faltering and Starmer’s leadership under scrutiny, Burnham is openly discussing the possibility of returning to Westminster—though not without caveats and a fair bit of political theater.
Speaking to The Telegraph and New Statesman, Burnham revealed that Labour MPs have been urging him to challenge Starmer. “People have contacted me throughout the summer—yeah,” he told The Telegraph. “I’m not going to say to you that that hasn’t happened. But as I say, it’s more a decision for those people than it is for me.” When pressed further, he added, “I stood twice to be leader of the Labour Party. And I think that tells you, doesn’t it?”
While Burnham insists he is not “plotting to get back” to Westminster, he has refused to rule out a leadership bid before May 2026—a date seen by many as a potential turning point if Labour performs poorly in upcoming local elections across London, Scotland, and Wales. The mayor’s reluctance to close the door on a challenge has only heightened speculation, particularly as he prepares to address party members at the Labour conference in Liverpool starting Sunday, September 28, 2025.
Burnham’s criticisms of Starmer’s leadership have been blunt. He has accused Number 10 of fostering a “climate of fear” among MPs, creating “alienation and demoralisation” within the party. In his interview with New Statesman, he went further, arguing that “wholesale change” is needed to see off what he described as an “existential” threat to Labour. “Returning to the old way of doing things in Westminster with minimal change is an unattractive prospect,” Burnham said, adding, “I’m happy to play any role. I am ready to play any role in that. Yes. Because the threat we’re facing is increasingly an existential one.”
Burnham’s vision for “turning the country around” is detailed and ambitious—some would say radical. He proposes higher council tax on expensive homes in London and the South East, arguing that there is a “huge underpayment of tax that should now be corrected” due to property valuations dating back to 1991. He would cut income tax for lower earners, introduce a 50p rate for the highest earners, and borrow £40 billion to boost the construction of council houses. Additionally, he calls for more public control of housing, energy, water, and rail, and has signaled a willingness to work with progressive parties, including the Liberal Democrats and Jeremy Corbyn’s new left-wing venture. “We need to get back to speaking to working-class ambition,” Burnham told New Statesman.
The mayor has also thrown his support behind former Commons leader Lucy Powell in the race to succeed Angela Rayner as Labour’s deputy leader, following Rayner’s resignation over her tax affairs. According to New Statesman, Burnham believes Powell’s victory would be key to weakening Downing Street’s grip on the party. Powell has been described as the “independent choice” in her contest against cabinet minister Bridget Phillipson and has received a notable £15,000 donation from green energy industrialist Dale Vince.
Burnham’s critics within Labour have been quick to respond. Housing Secretary Steve Reed suggested Burnham was taking “pot shots” at Starmer, who, Reed argued, “picked this party up off the floor and led us to a record-breaking general election victory.” Reed added, “Our job now is to talk to the country, not ourselves about how we’re going to change the things they care about.” Labour peer Thangam Debbonaire was even more direct, telling Sky News that Burnham should “stop sticking his oar in. Keir Starmer is our prime minister, and he should be allowed to get on with the job.”
Some in the party have dismissed Burnham’s economic proposals as unrealistic. Labour MP Callum Anderson, a parliamentary private secretary to cabinet minister Liz Kendall, accused Burnham of “wishful thinking” for his remarks about breaking free from the influence of bond markets. “To lead a Labour government—and a Labour Treasury—you can’t just dismiss the bond markets,” Anderson wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Every pound spent on schools, hospitals, and infrastructure depends on credibility with those who lend to the UK. Real change requires fiscal discipline, not wishful thinking.”
Despite the criticism, Burnham’s supporters argue his interventions are not about personal ambition but about the need for Labour to broaden its appeal and embrace bold solutions. Allies insist his comments reflect frustration with what they see as the “factional” approach of Starmer’s team and a desire for the leadership to listen to a wider range of voices. “What we need is a plan to defeat Reform,” one close associate told BBC News.
Any serious leadership bid by Burnham would face significant hurdles. He is not currently an MP and would need to secure a parliamentary seat, likely through a by-election, before even beginning the process of challenging Starmer. With Labour’s poll numbers uncertain and no by-election on the horizon, there’s no guarantee of a straightforward path back to Westminster. Even so, Burnham’s willingness to keep the door open—and his high-profile policy platform—have made him a rallying point for disaffected MPs and activists seeking change.
As the Labour conference opens in Liverpool, the party finds itself at a crossroads: caught between a leadership eager to project stability and a vocal faction demanding radical change. Burnham’s interventions may not yet amount to a full-blown leadership challenge, but they have undeniably put pressure on Starmer to articulate a clearer vision for Labour’s future—and to address the concerns of those who feel left behind.
For now, all eyes will be on Liverpool, where Burnham is expected to make his case to the party faithful. Whether his call for “wholesale change” catches fire or fizzles out, one thing is clear: the battle for Labour’s soul is far from over.
