Andy Burnham is set to make his return to the Parliament next week, nearly ten years after resigning as an MP. The former Mayor of Greater Manchester will be sworn in as the newest MP for Makerfield on Monday following his decisive victory against Nigel Farage’s Reform in a crucial by-election.
During a celebratory rally in the North West constituency, Burnham emphasized the need for change, stating that the current trajectory has not been beneficial for the region over the past four decades. He expressed optimism about the opportunity to create positive change and restore hope in politics.
Louise Haigh, a key ally of Burnham and former Transport Secretary, has urged Keir Starmer to reflect on the election results and consider his leadership position to avoid a contentious leadership challenge. Burnham’s allies are pushing for an orderly transition of power, which would involve the Prime Minister announcing his resignation and setting a departure timeline.
While Burnham’s camp seeks a smooth transition, potential challenges lie ahead. If no other Labour MPs challenge Burnham, he could ascend to the top leadership position uncontested. However, former Health Secretary Wes Streeting has declared his intention to compete, advocating for a debate on the party’s future direction.
In response to Burnham’s victory, the Prime Minister has remained defiant, asserting his mandate until the 2024 election and resisting calls for resignation. Talks between the Prime Minister and Burnham are expected over the weekend, with the possibility of a refusal to outline an exit plan as demanded by Burnham’s allies.
If the Prime Minister persists, a leadership challenge is likely to be triggered by Starmer’s rivals, leading to a potentially turbulent internal conflict within the Labour Party. The process for launching a challenge requires securing support from 81 MPs or 20% of the Parliamentary Labour Party.
The timing and format of a leadership contest would be determined by Labour’s National Executive Committee, with potential hustings for party members and unions extending over the summer. The contest’s outcome could be announced before Labour’s annual conference in September, where a candidate securing over 50% of first preferences would emerge as the leader.
Amid warnings of a prolonged contest, suggestions have been made to streamline the leadership selection process by excluding party members and allowing only MPs to decide, a proposal that would necessitate approval from Labour’s governing body.
