Andy Burnham has plan to return to Westminster ‘within weeks’. Allies sayGreater Manchester mayor said to have identified seats where MPs would step aside to allow leadership bid.

DaisyAnneReturns

Sometimes what "we have all been waiting for" is neither possible or wanted by all.

But it is wanted by those who voted Labour at the GE. Clearly it won't be wanted by those who didn't - that's par for the course. It's how the system works.

Things only become possible if they are on the table and being researched. We have no indication from their PR that the real social policies that need addressing are getting any attention. They are letting a hostile media dictate the narrative.

To Astitchintime. I have contacted the hospital. I am a long way down the waiting list, but they have quite a few cancellations so I’ve put my name down for one. Thank you.

Luckygirl3

DaisyAnneReturns

Sometimes what "we have all been waiting for" is neither possible or wanted by all.

But it is wanted by those who voted Labour at the GE. Clearly it won't be wanted by those who didn't - that's par for the course. It's how the system works.

Things only become possible if they are on the table and being researched. We have no indication from their PR that the real social policies that need addressing are getting any attention. They are letting a hostile media dictate the narrative.

But it is wanted by those who voted Labour at the GE. Luckygirl3

Where does that statistic come from?

Do you not think that the majority of those who voted Labour did so because they want to see some policies that address our social problems and help to create a fairer society?

There will have been some tactical voting to get rid of what had gone before, but in the main people vote for Labour to improve society and break out of the competitive grocer's daughter mindset.

30% of the electorate voted for Labour, and many of those voted "because they can't be any worse than the Tories."
Big mistake, tactical voting.
Choosing Labour to improve society? Really?
Very few voters are that altruistic, particularly when they see the strikes, (train Drivers, Tube drivers, Doctors, Bin Men) the demand for pay rises (see above) demands for increased welfare support, reduced rents, higher pay for less work etc etc.

Maybe they are " demanding" because they can't afford to function?

eazybee

30% of the electorate voted for Labour, and many of those voted "because they can't be any worse than the Tories."
Big mistake, tactical voting.
Choosing Labour to improve society? Really?
Very few voters are that altruistic, particularly when they see the strikes, (train Drivers, Tube drivers, Doctors, Bin Men) the demand for pay rises (see above) demands for increased welfare support, reduced rents, higher pay for less work etc etc.

I think you would be surprised how many voters do actually care about the society in which they function and their fellow human beings. It would appear you don't, so maybe it's difficult for you to understand that not everybody has the same mindset.

Luckygirl3

I voted Labour for 2 reasons: the Tory government was a dangerous laughing stock; and I wanted a government with a caring agenda, unafraid to tackle the serious inequalities that have been caused by years of Tory rule.

And what have we got? - an attack on private schools (which is just a bit of tinkering in the grand scheme of things) and alienation of the farming community.

They have done some good things but have not shoved them under our noses, which they need to do now.

The party need to get behind their leader to provide some continuity, but he needs to grasp that the same old is not going to cut the mustard. He is fighting a hostile media and needs to take them on by blowing his own trumpet about the reforms that they have instituted on things that people care about, and announcing more.

Bouncing from party to party, leader to leader hampers real progress on the things that matter.

Have you thought of applying to be a strategy advisor? I agree with all that.

Violetbynight

Have seen that Andy Burnham might have a chance as others prepared to stand down for him. Starmer has blocked him in the past which seems to show that Burnham is a definite threat.

Nobody can offer their seat to Burnham; in a by-election other Parties will offer candidates and Farage will throw millions at winning it for Reform.

What a double whammy that would be for Burnham's political ambitions.

butterandjam

Violetbynight

Have seen that Andy Burnham might have a chance as others prepared to stand down for him. Starmer has blocked him in the past which seems to show that Burnham is a definite threat.

Nobody can offer their seat to Burnham; in a by-election other Parties will offer candidates and Farage will throw millions at winning it for Reform.

What a double whammy that would be for Burnham's political ambitions.

Very true, and now Starmer may want to resign quickly so that Burnham wouldn’t be in the running anyway.

Be a great pity if Andy Burnham isn’t in any leadership challenge. He’s the best possible candidate if Keir does step down

We really have, as a nation, got into the habit of getting rid of Prime Minister, any Prime Minister, starting as soon as they get into office. Has it made things any better?

Iam64

Be a great pity if Andy Burnham isn’t in any leadership challenge. He’s the best possible candidate if Keir does step down

He’s been undermining Keir’s authority right from the start and, imo plotting his downfall.

By the way, if he does take over the party and turns the country around I will hold up my hands and say I was wrong. I just don’t like or trust him, though .

MayBee70

By the way, if he does take over the party and turns the country around I will hold up my hands and say I was wrong. I just don’t like or trust him, though .

I feel the same way. A career politician if ever there was one. He bends with the wind and says what’s required according to his audience.

MayBee same for me re ,Burnham,I am shocked by his undermining of the PM, i cannot/will not support him

There are plenty that do like Burnham though. He has higher approval ratings than any of the other contenders. January 2026 You Gov poll indicated that 40% of 2024 GE Labour voters thought he would be a better PM than Starmer- and 47% of Briton, including 38% of Labour voters believe it would be better for the country if Starmer was replaced as PM by Burnham. And that was January.

However Burnham not currently an MP so not a viable vote of no confidence contender at this stage.

But- it can be reasonably inferred that Starmer is very much aware of those You Gov polls- more favourable to Burnham and a majority that feel he would make a better PM than himself. Make of that what you will.....I know what I make of it.

comparative majority....

LemonJam

There are plenty that do like Burnham though. He has higher approval ratings than any of the other contenders. January 2026 You Gov poll indicated that 40% of 2024 GE Labour voters thought he would be a better PM than Starmer- and 47% of Briton, including 38% of Labour voters believe it would be better for the country if Starmer was replaced as PM by Burnham. And that was January.

However Burnham not currently an MP so not a viable vote of no confidence contender at this stage.

But- it can be reasonably inferred that Starmer is very much aware of those You Gov polls- more favourable to Burnham and a majority that feel he would make a better PM than himself. Make of that what you will.....I know what I make of it.

Farage appears to be quite popular, too 😁

Not sure public appeal should be the main qualification.

Public appeal? Winning the lottery,

Basgetti

LemonJam

There are plenty that do like Burnham though. He has higher approval ratings than any of the other contenders. January 2026 You Gov poll indicated that 40% of 2024 GE Labour voters thought he would be a better PM than Starmer- and 47% of Briton, including 38% of Labour voters believe it would be better for the country if Starmer was replaced as PM by Burnham. And that was January.

However Burnham not currently an MP so not a viable vote of no confidence contender at this stage.

But- it can be reasonably inferred that Starmer is very much aware of those You Gov polls- more favourable to Burnham and a majority that feel he would make a better PM than himself. Make of that what you will.....I know what I make of it.

Farage appears to be quite popular, too 😁

Not sure public appeal should be the main qualification.

Farage is not a Labour MP therefore is not a contender to replace Starmer as PM in the Labour Party 😊.

It is a reasonable inference to conclude that as You Gov polls indicated that 47% of the public believe it would be better for the country if Starmer stands down and is replaced by Burnham - that 47% of the country will be more favourable towards the Labour party. As a result it is a reasonable inference to conclude they may be more likely to vote for the Labour Party in the next GE for a different PM than it would if Starmer remains in post.

We are saw evidence last week of public voting patterns where the PM had such low public appeal the Labour Party lost a significant amount of local council seats.

I am of the firm view that in reality- public appeal is important- or at the very least, intense public dislike of a party leader/PM is a distinct disadvantage.

For example I have an intense dislike of Farage. I would never vote for a party if Farage is the leader.

Basgetti

LemonJam

There are plenty that do like Burnham though. He has higher approval ratings than any of the other contenders. January 2026 You Gov poll indicated that 40% of 2024 GE Labour voters thought he would be a better PM than Starmer- and 47% of Briton, including 38% of Labour voters believe it would be better for the country if Starmer was replaced as PM by Burnham. And that was January.

However Burnham not currently an MP so not a viable vote of no confidence contender at this stage.

But- it can be reasonably inferred that Starmer is very much aware of those You Gov polls- more favourable to Burnham and a majority that feel he would make a better PM than himself. Make of that what you will.....I know what I make of it.

Farage appears to be quite popular, too 😁

Not sure public appeal should be the main qualification.

Farage appears to be quite popular, too 😁

Not sure public appeal should be the main qualification.

We really have been reduced to popularity contests dictating who comes and who goes, and how soon are those ignorant of the facts going to take before they are board and looking for "new" entertainment. We could stop having elections altogether for what they are eorth these days. Now the 2 minute brains are controlled by a press owned by very rich people who generally don't live or pay taxes in this country. So much for democracy.

board bored

I agree that one of the most important considerations would be that Burnham would still have to win a by election, how likely is that considering the results just a few days ago. Good luck with that one.