The Mayor of Greater Manchester has faced repeated accusations he is plotting a leadership bid as a result of his public criticism of the Government.
However, a source close to Burnham has told The i Paper his desire is far more serious than is being admitted publicly.
The i Paper understands that Burnham is already in talks with his closest confidantes about forming a campaign team to launch an attempt to oust Starmer after the May elections, when Labour is expected to lose control of Wales and haemorrhage support in councils across the country.
“Burnham’s team think they [Labour] will lose Wales,” the source said. “They will no longer be seen as strong, Keir will be at his weakest and it will be time to go for it.
Although some of Burnham’s allies have shown general support for him, few Labour MPs have gone public with an outright call for him to be the party’s new leader (Photo: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty)
Burnham’s recent public remarks – including his suggestion that the Government needs to stop being “in hock to the bond markets” – have been seized upon by critics, including allies of Starmer.
Although some of Burnham’s allies have shown general support for him, few Labour MPs have gone public with an outright call for him to be the party’s new leader at this point.
An incoming groundswell?
The insider said that while Burnham has been contacted privately by MPs, as he confirmed in a recent interview with The Daily Telegraph, he wants there to be a “groundswell of opinion”.
Much has been made of the fact that Burnham needs to be a sitting MP to launch a leadership bid, and that he may be blocked from doing so by Starmer’s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney who is said to have tight control of Labour’s National Executive Committee (NEC).
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“McSweeney has got control of the exec, but he hasn’t got control of the members,” the source said.
The insider claims Burnham’s team have identified both Andrew Gwynne in Gorton and Denton and Marie Rimmer in St Helens South and Whiston as MPs who may consider giving up their seat for him.
“They think that because it’s St Helens, he’s a local lad and he could fight off Reform,” the source told The i Paper.
Powell has tried to distance herself from the idea she is a “proxy” for a Burnham leadership bid.
But the insider said Burnham sees her as “key” to helping him get into power. “He trusts her massively,” the source added.
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