STORY
Andy Burnham is expected to return to Westminster this week after winning the Makerfield by-election, with allies seeking to build support for a possible Labour leadership bid. The Guardian reported that Burnham was expected to speak to Starmer after being sworn in and could present him with a list of MPs backing a transition.
Under Labour rules, a challenger needs support from 20% of Labour MPs to enter a leadership contest. The Guardian reported that Burnham’s supporters were trying to build a large parliamentary base, while some Labour MPs are seeking a transition that avoids a damaging public contest.
Burnham has not formally launched a leadership challenge, but he has said his return to Parliament was intended to give voters a different political offer. His victory has intensified pressure on Starmer because it gives Labour MPs an alternative candidate who has recently defeated Reform UK in a high-profile contest.