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.

I like Angela but I don’t see her as a better PM than Starmer. I’m not hearing the kind of ideas FGT mentions. I’m north west so we know like and trust Andy Burnham. But as FGT says, he’s out of any rushed challenge until he’s back in Westminster
I like Streeting in his current role. The left loathe him

Eternal stick with Starmer

The Telegraph reports that Wes Streeting has recruited more than 81 (the minimum number required) to trigger a contest for the labour leadership and thus for PM. The Telegraph also claimed that Streeting is being urged to do this as early as next Friday. These claims may or may not be true- but the T did report that Streting's plans were accidentally sent by text to a Downing Street staffer.

Pros of this for Streeting- AR still waiting for outcome of tax probed and Burnham still does not yet have a seat in the commons.

Cons- Being so quick off the mark may act against Streeting down the line. Context: the recent Yougov poll shows that 34% of Britons feel Burnham will make a bette PM than Starmer, 18% AR will make a better PM than Starmer with Streeting trailing behind at 13%. Further Burnham's more careful and systematic strategy, that avoids such open conflict as a leadership vote of no confidence the chaos of this playing out in the public domain so quickly after the last few weeks around the Mandelson fiasco. Burnham et al will simply publish their "manifesto" regardless.

Streeting will calculate and decide for himself, as will Starmer.

I think this is all supposedly "top news" just right now as a way smear Labour for the upcoming elections in the right wing press.

Anything will do, frankly.

I don't see loathing on here for Starmer in GN except from those who personally loathe him -expressing a POV, not a fact.

BTW - important point to note - I have just checked out any news on Andy Burnham re this "Manifesto" for himself or in general and found the Guardian report:

"Based on reports as of May 2026, Andy Burnham is actively preparing a policy platform that serves as a "progressive policy platform for government," which allies see as a vehicle for his return to Westminster to challenge Sir Keir Starmer for leadership.

In other words, he is not "writing a manifesto for himself as leader" but what the Manifesto group is looking out for, which are actual alternative policies, which is surely of great interest to all in and out of the LP in terms of the way ahead.

It is being supposed "by his allies" to be part of a bid for leadership.

I suppose it's understandable from people who dont know about the Manifesto group within the Labour Party. its not a cult, there is no organisation as such, its more a large cluster.

As for who is best for leadership, time will tell. I'd like to hear from all those who feel they are contenders. someone prominent now wont necessarily turn out to be the winner or "the best".

The leadership election process is long and quite complicated and he or she who shouts loudest initially isn't necessarily the actual best person.

Wyllow3

I've never heard any talk of that, FGT. None.

Read what LemonJam posted just above? It makes sense for Streeting when one thinks about it. Rayner not ready (cleared) and Burnham not (yet) an MP

I’ll fetch my popcorn 🍿

Of all the names being bandied about I think that Streeting would be the final nail in Labour’s coffin. He accepts far too much money from private health companies for my liking and seems to be in the same centre right authoritarian mode as Starmer, Reeves, Lammy and Mahmood. I prefer a more socialist approach.

I’m puzzled by the reference to Burnham and Manifesto. What is this about? I know he is involved with Mainstream, which promotes itself as an umbrella for soft left groups.

I cannot imagine Streeting becoming PM somehow.

Ah, Maizie, that is all my fault and I apologise to all:

Duh: bad brain day:

I was confusing "Mainstream" with "Manifesto". Yes, our grouping is "Mainstream". Talk of Burnham, certainly along with "Mainstream"

But tbh all we are talking about generally atm on our WhatsApp group is getting the votes out for the election.

FriedGreenTomatoes2

I cannot imagine Streeting becoming PM somehow.

He's sort of...too slick for me?
I know you actually rate Burnham quite highly, or used to, as you live right on the spot.

I know you want a popcorn moment as regards Raynor ☺️

Galaxy

I would have thought in terms of electoral success Streeting would be more likely to cut through, but my last judgement on a labour party leader wasn't particularly on the money.

Streeting would be my choice atm but Northerners would probably get behind Burnham more.

I can’t imagine anyone wanting AR as PM, it wouldn’t be a popcorn moment it would be a Titanic moment.

MaizieD

Of all the names being bandied about I think that Streeting would be the final nail in Labour’s coffin. He accepts far too much money from private health companies for my liking and seems to be in the same centre right authoritarian mode as Starmer, Reeves, Lammy and Mahmood. I prefer a more socialist approach.

I’m puzzled by the reference to Burnham and Manifesto. What is this about? I know he is involved with Mainstream, which promotes itself as an umbrella for soft left groups.

Why do you think Blair did so well in winning elections?
The Great British Public don’t want a socialist ( very left wing)
Government which is why Corbyn went down like a lead balloon.

Not Streeting please ......

For goodness sake Labour MPs ... get behind your PM and stop all these back-stabbing machinations.

I think the media across the board is not expecting good news for Labour in forthcoming elections. Even Lucy Powell, deputy leader in the Guardian today is not expecting great results and that a cabinet reshuffle will not resolve what she calls current "woes" It is just a shame the timing is on the back of the past few weeks of chaos for Starmer.

I really hope Streeting does not strike an early no confidence bid in an effort to put himself forward subsequently in a leadership bid. Chaos when least needed.

I wait with great interest what the plan/policy platform Burnham and others put forward, whatever it is called. I really hope the NEC will not block Burnham's plans to stand as an MP at his next opportunity.

I would much prefer to see a measured, calm and strategic agreed transfer of executive power from Starmer to his successor as I am in the camp that he is not the best candidate to lead the Labour Party into the next GE. Similar as happened between Blair to Brown- when the time is right.

Burnham appears to be offering that pragmatic solution, if the speculative reports turn out to have truth and substance. The proof will be in the pudding, ie the policy platform put forward. In addition the You gov poll supports that Burnham has the highest public favour and 38% of Britons feel he will make a better PM than Starmer.

They really don’t get it do they?

Labour will be wiped out in May elections because of their leftist policies - so they are now going to choose a leader who is even more to the left.

This may be what Labour wants but I don’t think it’s what the electorate wants.
Come the GE in 3 years they’ll all be out.

It was embarrassing campaigning at the 2019 election.

Corbyn sort of has his heart in a place that in an ideal world I don't all disagree with - NHS put right - growth - pensions improved, houses built, fair shares for all, tax the rich to do it, spend on this, spend on that, spend on the other..

But it stretched credulity so far, it could never ever have been done and most of us campaigning knew that all too well.

I absolutely don't agree that people don't want leftist policies.

They want a better NHS, particularly in areas that are failing, MH being one of them if you know someone deeply in need, more housing, decent social care, a fair policy re heating and elderly in need, a fair tax on rich landowners but not hitting farming families too hard - these are all more leftist wing policies, benefits and PIP when really needed and justified, schools up to the mark.

The right is talking about hitting those on benefits across the board, you know that very well. their ideas on Mental Health are often send "them" back to work or similar.

Angela Rayner had to resign for misdemeanour in public office over her tax affairs. To even be considered in the running for Prime Minister should be out of contention. Having resigned she should never be in a cabinet again let alone leading it.

Wyllow3

It was embarrassing campaigning at the 2019 election.

Corbyn sort of has his heart in a place that in an ideal world I don't all disagree with - NHS put right - growth - pensions improved, houses built, fair shares for all, tax the rich to do it, spend on this, spend on that, spend on the other..

But it stretched credulity so far, it could never ever have been done and most of us campaigning knew that all too well.

I think the thought of Dianne Abbott being in high office didn’t help either ( and she’s still merrily back stabbing Starmer whenever she can). As for Lucy Powell. I have to hold up my hands and admit that, even though I’ve voted Labour all of my adult life to me she and the woman she stood against as deputy leader, are faceless to me. Given that Starmer is currently in some other country as we speak discussing world affairs the Labour Party infighting takes away his authority and credibility and, in such volatile times those who wish to further their political careers by usurping him should be ashamed of themselves .

You’d have to admit though *w
Wyllow* tgat Labour classing ‘anxiety’ as a disability put benefit applications on steroids?

What did they imagine would be the outcome??

“When the cat’s away the mice will play” comes to mind MayBee.

Ah Wyllow Starmer’s credibility is shot to pieces. Southport did for him as he scuttled away as the crowd became angry and jeered.

The beginning of the nd for him in my opinion.

The electorate knows it and now so too does the higher echelons with the a Labour Party.

No wonder several contenders are now on manoeuvres.

Bye bye Starmer it won’t be long.

Luckygirl3

Not Streeting please ......

For goodness sake Labour MPs ... get behind your PM and stop all these back-stabbing machinations.

Hear, hear Luckygirl!

I’ve always said the Labour Party doesn’t need opposition … they’re more than ready to destroy themselves!

But I really thought that, after 14 years of Tory sh**, Labour MPs would put the country first; put the infighting aside; and present a united front.

Maybe I was too optimistic🤷‍♀️

FriedGreenTomatoes2

They really don’t get it do they?

Labour will be wiped out in May elections because of their leftist policies - so they are now going to choose a leader who is even more to the left.

This may be what Labour wants but I don’t think it’s what the electorate wants.
Come the GE in 3 years they’ll all be out.

Labour won't be "wiped out" they will still be in government for another 2 years after the May elections. Labour won the GE after 13 years of Conservative right wing policies, chaos and austerity. The country tired of that.

Starmer's leadership focus and direction has been rightwards, away from the left and away from what many L voters at the last GE were expecting or hoped for. Starmer wanted to make the L party more appealing to business and conservative leaning voters but critics say he has gone too far. Some of his decisions have deviated away from typical Labour policies again which those who voted for them at the last GE may not have expected and maybe have become disillusioned e.g some of Starmer's decisions:.
1) abandoning his 2020 leadership pledge to renationalise major public services like energy, water companies and Royal Mail
2) reversing tuition fee abolitions
3) fiscal conservatism
4) pro business stance and abandoning traditional anti corporation rhetoric
5) Using conservative "Tough on crime' rhetoric
6) modifying green energy targets
7) he has been ruthless against the left wing of his party
8) retaining tax changes implemented by the Conservative government.

So Starmer successfully helped the Labour Party win the election but in office he needs to pay due care not to alienate the party's traditional base. A successor is is a bit more left than Starmer may be just what the party and voters want and need, both for the country and to win a further term at the next GE.

Depending on your views and political persuasion of course, but the electorate wanted change from austerity and right leaning politics 2 years ago....

Wyllow3

I absolutely don't agree that people don't want leftist policies.

They want a better NHS, particularly in areas that are failing, MH being one of them if you know someone deeply in need, more housing, decent social care, a fair policy re heating and elderly in need, a fair tax on rich landowners but not hitting farming families too hard - these are all more leftist wing policies, benefits and PIP when really needed and justified, schools up to the mark.

The right is talking about hitting those on benefits across the board, you know that very well. their ideas on Mental Health are often send "them" back to work or similar.

I agree and look forward to what changes are promoted and put forward as credible plans by the government, Starmer or others in the L party after the May elections in order to change and improve their current woes.

Things fall apart slowly, then all at once.