WATCH: Labour minister says MP offering seat to Andy Burnham in bid to challenge PM for leadership is a ‘distraction’

Labour is facing calls for new leadership yet again ahead of the May 2026 local elections

𝘒𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘳’s tenure as Labour leader could soon be dealt a crushing blow after it emerged his top leadership rival has “identified a seat in which to stand as an MP”.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham is said to have pinpointed a “nailed on” seat after talks with anti-Starmer Labour MPs.

One source claimed there are even a “number of potential options open to him”, speaking to The Times.

His allies have now begun canvassing for him among Labour’s hard-left Socialist Campaign Group (SCG) of MPs, according to the newspaper.

One MP said Mr Burnham’s supporters had suggested the group would be handed at least one ministerial role in his potential future Cabinet.

The SCG counts Richard Burgon and hardline Jeremy Corbyn allies Diane Abbott and John McDonnell in its ranks.

And just days ago, another member, Clive Lewis, publicly offered the Mayor his Norwich seat.

Mr Burnham was forced to vow he was “fully focused” on his current role.

SCG firebrand Mr Burgon then appeared to put his weight behind the ex-Health Secretary.

𝘒𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘳’s tenure as Labour leader could soon be dealt a crushing blow

“The reality is, if we do well in the elections in May, and we should do… then the Prime Minister, I’m sure, will be safe in his position,” Mr Burgon said.

“If we don’t do well, obviously people will start to intensify talk of a replacement.

“But if we’re in that situation [in] May, I think anybody who has been seen as being part of the problem in the eyes of the public would struggle to make a clean break.

Andy Burnham is said to have a ‘number of potential options’ at his disposal to replace Sir 𝘒𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘳

Mr Burnham, who just days ago levelled a fresh attack at the PM, had found himself at the centre of a major party row just as the Labour conference began earlier this year.

Rumours of a leadership bid began to swirl, before rapidly cooling as he admitted he lacked the power to launch one while he was still Mayor.

But with the May 2026 elections looming, fears are rising of a wipeout similar to 2025’s, where Nigel Farage’s Reform UK seized power in councils across Britain.

A senior Labour MP told The Times that other potential leaders were waiting in the wings.

“If you are Wes [Streeting], what are you waiting for? The path to power is only going to get more crowded and MPs are getting increasingly worried about what’s going to happen in May,” they said.

Richard Burgon appeared to put his weight behind ex-Health Secretary Mr Burnham

“Changing the leader before then might at least save a few seats.”

Another senior Labour figure said: “No10 is completely stuck. There is complete inertia. Something needs to happen in the new year to force change or there will be anarchy.”

If the Greater Manchester Mayor were to launch a bid to return to Parliament, Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) would need to approve his seat selection.

Mr Burnham is said to have been told the NEC would not block him, though further reports hint the PM’s right-hand man Morgan McSweeney would bar him from any potential shortlist.