Culture secretary backs Burnham for Westminster comeback amid leadership speculation

LONDON — Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has backed potential leadership challenger Andy Burnham to return to Westminster amid ongoing speculation he is weighing a comeback. In an interview with LBC, Nandy said, "I love Andy, and whatever he decides to do, I'll support him." She added that Burnham has been "a fantastic champion for the North" and that he could contribute either as the mayor of Greater Manchester or as a Member of Parliament, depending on what he decides to pursue.

Her remarks come as Powell, described as Burnham’s ally by observers, launches a bid for Labour’s deputy leadership. Powell is contesting the post against Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson to replace former deputy leader Angela Rayner, who resigned after failing to pay enough stamp duty on a seaside home. In the BBC’s Political Thinking podcast, Powell said that some of Labour’s mistakes and unforced errors have given the sense that the party is not on the side of ordinary people, and she rejected claims that she is a proxy for Burnham.

Nandy was sacked in Sir Keir Starmer's reshuffle this month, a move she framed as potentially tied to feedback she had given from Labour MPs on issues including welfare reform. She told LBC that she thought she was doing the job she was supposed to do, but perhaps that feedback was not welcome by the Cabinet. Since leaving the Cabinet, the former Commons Leader has urged the Government to be clearer about its stance on scrapping the two-child benefit cap, a policy issue that resonates with many Labour backbenchers and their constituents.

The episode underscores the tension within Labour between leadership assessment and policy disputes as the party navigates questions about its direction ahead of possible Westminster returns by senior figures.