Backlash grows among Labour MPs over Burnham leadership ambitions

Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham faces mounting pushback from dozens of Labour MPs who were asked about a potential bid to challenge Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership. In interviews and in responses to questions from BBC Radio 5 Live, MPs indicated a reluctance to see a leadership contest at this stage and urged Burnham to concentrate on his role in Manchester rather than pursue a Westminster return.

BBC Radio 5 Live surveyed 320 of the 399 Labour MPs in Parliament, and the tone of the replies underscored a party wary of upheaval. While many respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the government overall, very few suggested Burnham's return would improve their electoral prospects. One MP characterized Burnham as promoting himself at moments of perceived weakness, comparing him to "Japanese knotweed". A government minister described a small cohort of MPs as "a few disgruntled MPs who make up the Burnham fan club" and said most colleagues preferred he focus on his current job rather than chase a leadership bid. The political mood inside Labour appeared to favor stability ahead of next year’s local and national elections.

The leadership debate comes amid a broader rockiness at the top of the government. Downing Street has seen a string of changes in the communications team, with the departure of Steph Driver, the prime minister's director of communications, described by Starmer as a loyal, valued member of the team for nearly five years. Driver's exit marks the third time in six months that Downing Street has seen a person in the director of communications role leave. While no single event defines the moment, the rapid turnover has fed concerns about the ability of the leadership to project a coherent plan.

Public and private reactions to Burnham’s flirtations with a return to Westminster varied. Markus Campbell-Savours, Labour MP for Penrith and Solway, told the BBC that Burnham would need to secure a safe seat to re-enter Parliament, noting, "There are none. He won't be in Parliament anytime soon. So if there really are colleagues who think he's going to swoop in and save the day, they need to give their head a wobble." Sojan Joseph, the Labour MP for Ashford, said he "completely supported the prime minister and his vision for change" and argued Burnham should remain focused on Manchester rather than leadership speculation.

Some MPs spoke on the record in support of Burnham’s broader political project, even as they urged caution. A veteran backbencher described leadership ambitions as the party’s best‑kept secret, saying, "It’s the worst kept secret in politics that Andy would love to be back in Parliament and, of course, he had his eyes laser focused on the top job." He added that many Labour MPs outside London saw Burnham as a potential savior for their own positions ahead of the next election. Another backbencher praised Burnham for putting forward constructive ideas and argued he offered a different vision at a time when party messaging was seen by some as lacking.

Yet the mood among many MPs remained wary. Several acknowledged that the elections next year would be tough and suggested that a leadership challenge before then might be possible, though the majority did not signal a strong appetite for a change at the very top. One minister cautioned that while the idea of a leadership bid could surface in political calculation, any practical move would face significant obstacles and would likely require careful timing.

Burnham has argued that the decision on leadership rests with Labour MPs, not with him. In a BBC interview, he said it was up to Labour MPs to decide whether the party needed a change in leadership and noted that MPs had been in touch with him to discuss the issue. He urged the government to develop a "proper plan for the country" and has conducted interviews with major outlets, including the Telegraph, the Guardian, and the New Statesman, which published a profile outlining his vision for the country. For Burnham to pursue the leadership, he would first need to become an MP, and any bid would require the support of 80 Labour MPs to challenge Starmer.

The current environment inside Labour is shaped by concerns about performance in Wales, Scotland, and England, and by the rise of Reform UK in opinion polls. Against that backdrop, Labour MPs are split between those who see value in Burnham’s blunt critique and others who fear that any leadership reshuffle so soon after the last general election would undermine the party’s strategic credibility and electoral prospects. While some colleagues privately offered cautious encouragement, the prevailing public stance among MPs was clear: leadership change is not universally supported, and for many the immediate priority is presenting a credible plan to voters in the face of a challenging political landscape.

As Burnham tests the waters for a potential challenge, the party’s calculus will hinge on the alignment of MPs’ local interests, national strategy, and the ability to deliver a convincing alternative to Starmer’s approach. The next steps remain uncertain, with the party’s leadership awaiting clarity on whether Burnham or any other figure will mount a formal bid and how that would affect Labour’s unity ahead of next year’s pivotal electoral contests.