Andy Burnham planning return to Westminster ‘within weeks to challenge Starmer for Labour leadership’
Andy Burnham is reportedly planning a return to Westminster within weeks to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for the Labour leadership. He has identified several constituencies where MPs may step aside to allow by-elections facilitating his re-entry to Parliament. This move follows Burnham's earlier blocked attempt to stand in a by-election and comes amid anticipation of poor Labour election results.
- ▪Andy Burnham is seeking to re-enter Parliament through by-elections in constituencies where sitting Labour MPs may resign.
- ▪Burnham was previously blocked by Labour's National Executive Committee from standing in the Gorton and Denton by-election.
- ▪Supporters hope Sir Keir Starmer will step down after expected poor results in the May 7 elections, avoiding a formal leadership challenge.
- ▪Burnham is preparing a progressive policy platform and plans to appoint a non-MP successor as Mayor of Greater Manchester.
- ▪Constituencies in Merseyside and Greater Manchester are reportedly being considered for Burnham's parliamentary return.
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NewsUKUK PoliticsAndy Burnham planning return to Westminster ‘within weeks to challenge Starmer for Labour leadership’The Labour Mayor of Greater Manchester has reportedly identified several seats where MPs are prepared to step aside, triggering a by-election which could pave the way for his return to ParliamentDavid Lynch Friday 01 May 2026 21:58 BSTBookmarkCommentsGo to commentsBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":true,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"b2969220","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/andy-burnham-westminster-return-plan-b2969220.html","title":"Andy Burnham planning…
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