Re: POLITICS CORNER
Posted: 26 Sep 2025, 02:29
See THIS for reactions to the Burnham challenge....
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is facing a backlash from dozens of Labour MPs over suggestions he could mount a challenge to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's leadership. Burnham has criticised the Labour government in a series of interviews, and says he has been contacted by Labour MPs urging him to stand. But the majority of Labour MPs who replied after being contacted by the BBC said they were against such a move. Speaking to BBC North West, Sir Keir said he would not "get drawn into commenting on the personal ambitions of the mayor". He also sought to compare Burnham's spending proposals with those of former Conservative prime minister Liz Truss, after the mayor complained about the government being "in hock" to investors in UK government debt. BBC Radio 5 Live asked 320 out of the 399 Labour MPs currently sitting in Parliament for comment. Many of the dozens who replied were unhappy at the performance of the Labour government, but few suggested Burnham's return would improve their fortunes. One said Burnham "seems to promote himself every time there's a perceived crack in the wall… a bit like Japanese knotweed" and a minister said a "few disgruntled MPs" made up "the Burnham fan club" and the rest just wanted him to "focus on his actual job in Manchester".
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is facing a backlash from dozens of Labour MPs over suggestions he could mount a challenge to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's leadership. Burnham has criticised the Labour government in a series of interviews, and says he has been contacted by Labour MPs urging him to stand. But the majority of Labour MPs who replied after being contacted by the BBC said they were against such a move. Speaking to BBC North West, Sir Keir said he would not "get drawn into commenting on the personal ambitions of the mayor". He also sought to compare Burnham's spending proposals with those of former Conservative prime minister Liz Truss, after the mayor complained about the government being "in hock" to investors in UK government debt. BBC Radio 5 Live asked 320 out of the 399 Labour MPs currently sitting in Parliament for comment. Many of the dozens who replied were unhappy at the performance of the Labour government, but few suggested Burnham's return would improve their fortunes. One said Burnham "seems to promote himself every time there's a perceived crack in the wall… a bit like Japanese knotweed" and a minister said a "few disgruntled MPs" made up "the Burnham fan club" and the rest just wanted him to "focus on his actual job in Manchester".