Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, often dubbed the "King of the North," found himself at the center of a political storm on September 25, 2025, as speculation mounted about a potential leadership challenge to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. Burnham, speaking candidly on BBC Radio Manchester, confirmed that Labour MPs had approached him to consider a bid for the party leadership. "It's not my decision," Burnham told the BBC, adding, "I've not gone out there, me on my own, people have been getting in touch with me and I've said to them it's not a matter for me. This is ultimately a matter for the party in Westminster to decide."
Despite persistent questioning, Burnham refused to commit to a challenge, even when asked hypothetically whether he would run if backed by 80 MPs. "It's got to be about more than a personality contest," he emphasized, arguing that the real challenge for Labour was to develop a robust plan to beat Reform UK, rather than focusing on internal rivalries.
The sense of political urgency was palpable. Burnham pointed out that many voters in northwest England felt disconnected from the government, stating, "We need to get people back behind the Labour government." He reiterated his commitment to his current role, assuring listeners, "My head is here, I want everyone listening to the hot seat to know that." Yet, the speculation was only fueled by Burnham's own admission: "Whenever Westminster has kind of gone into a moment, I've somehow been drawn into it."
Burnham’s intervention has not gone unnoticed within Labour ranks. According to Bloomberg, some party insiders were quick to criticize his policy proposals, with one figure describing them as "unserious and irresponsible" and warning that Burnham could be "Labour’s Liz Truss." This comparison was rooted in Burnham's suggestion, shared with The Telegraph, to borrow an extra £40 billion to fund new council homes—a move he argued was necessary to address the housing crisis. He also told the New Statesman that the government must stop being "in hock to the bond market." Critics warned that such proposals could trigger market instability, referencing the chaos seen during Liz Truss’s brief tenure as Prime Minister.
Burnham, however, remained steadfast in his stance. He denied actively seeking support for a leadership challenge, instead urging the party to focus on defeating Reform UK. "It's not my decision," he repeated, signaling that any move would have to come from within the party's Westminster establishment.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party faced another major policy crossroads. On September 26, 2025, Prime Minister Starmer was expected to announce the introduction of compulsory digital ID cards—dubbed the "Brit-Card"—in a bid to tackle illegal migration. Under the proposed system, every adult in the UK would be required to have a digital identity card, which would verify an individual's right to live and work in the country. The card would be presented via a smartphone app and checked against a central database, particularly when starting a new job or renting a home. The government hopes this measure will reduce the pull factors for illegal migration, a point that has gained urgency following calls from French President Emmanuel Macron for the UK to tighten its borders.
The digital ID proposal has not been without controversy. A petition opposing the scheme, citing fears of mass surveillance and digital control, had surpassed 120,000 signatures as of September 25. Petition creator Maxim Sutcliff wrote, "No one should be forced to register with a state-controlled ID system. We oppose the creation of any national ID system. ID cards were scrapped in 2010, in our view for good reason." Conservative former minister Sir David Davis joined the chorus of critics, declaring, "While digital IDs and ID cards sound like modern and efficient solutions to problems like illegal immigration, such claims are misleading at best. The systems involved are profoundly dangerous to the privacy and fundamental freedoms of the British people." Davis added, "No system is immune to failure, and we have seen time and again governments and tech giants fail to protect people’s personal data. If world-leading companies cannot protect our data, I have little faith that Whitehall would be able to do better."
As Labour confronted internal and external challenges, other voices added to the debate. Unite union general secretary Sharon Graham announced that the union would not back either candidate in the party's deputy leadership contest, arguing that neither would bring about the change Britain needs. "Britain needs change, not more of the same," Graham said. "Workers are leaving Labour in droves and tinkering will not stem the tide. Unfortunately, this election does not offer the alternative that Britain needs. For everyday people, it is irrelevant. Labour must deliver real change. We need huge investment into our crumbling infrastructure and our public services, a pay rise for British workers and an end to the private profiteering that helps drive inflation. Until the Government makes different choices, they will continue to haemorrhage support."
The Fire Brigades Union also weighed in, nominating Lucy Powell for deputy leader and calling for the scrapping of the two-child benefit cap and full delivery of the Employment Rights Bill. General secretary Steve Wright said, "Austerity and authoritarianism are a road to nowhere but misery for working people. If Labour does not deliver the change it promised, this will be a one term government. The FBU supports Lucy Powell's call to scrap the two child benefit cap, as well as her support for the full delivery of the Employment Rights Bill. We urge her, and all Labour MPs, to go further—to end austerity and introduce a wealth tax. That's why our union is backing Lucy Powell as deputy leader—to send a clear message that the leadership must change direction."
Amid these upheavals, the Labour government saw a significant departure from Downing Street. Steph Driver, Starmer's head of communications, announced her exit after five years at the Prime Minister's side. In a statement reported by The Guardian, Driver said, "It has been an honour to work with and advise Keir through opposition and into government. Being part of the team to rebuild and rebrand the Labour Party before securing an historic general election victory is an achievement and experience like no other. I’m also proud of what this government has already delivered... His Labour government has my unwavering support." Starmer responded with praise, calling Driver "a loyal and valued member of my team" who played a "leading role in transforming the Labour Party and delivering our historic general election win."
Even Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, a longtime Starmer ally, hesitated to offer full-throated support amid the swirling speculation. Sarwar told journalists, "He has got a really difficult job, we have made significant progress in the last year." He noted successes such as falling mortgage costs and rising wages, but admitted, "The average person doesn’t know that." Pressed on whether he had full confidence in Starmer, Sarwar said, "I think to be even talking in those terms is frankly ridiculous. This is a Prime Minister who won a historic victory, removed the Tories from office, won a huge landslide, and now he has to get on with the day job."
All the while, the specter of Reform UK loomed large. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, speaking to The Sun, dismissed any suggestion of joining Nigel Farage's party, branding it "extremely dangerous" and stressing, "The answers to this country’s problems are going to be Conservative answers."
As the Labour Party stands at a crossroads—grappling with internal dissent, bold policy proposals, and the looming challenge of Reform UK—the coming days promise to be pivotal. With the introduction of the Brit-Card and ongoing questions about party leadership, the direction Labour chooses now will shape the political landscape for years to come.
