Key facts
- Andy Burnham's allies are confident of a leadership bid following a surge in MP support after his byelection victory.
- Burnham's team is reportedly aiming for around 300 nominations to challenge current leader Keir Starmer.
- Labour party rules require 81 MPs' nominations for a leadership challenge.
- Some MPs believe Burnham should face a formal contest to scrutinize his ideas.
- Wes Streeting also claims sufficient support to challenge Starmer.
- Starmer has stated he will fight any potential leadership contest.
Allies of Andy Burnham are increasingly confident of a leadership challenge against Keir Starmer, buoyed by a significant surge in parliamentary support following Burnham's decisive byelection victory in Makerfield. Burnham's team reportedly believes they are close to securing around 300 nominations, surpassing their initial target and potentially complicating any challenge from Wes Streeting.
While some within the Labour party desire a formal contest to scrutinize Burnham's policies, his allies argue that his recent win sends a clear message and that Starmer is not the right leader to secure a Labour government. They suggest that an uncontested takeover or a swift departure by Starmer would allow for a more collegiate process.
Sources close to Wes Streeting maintain he also has the necessary support to launch a challenge, but he is not expected to trigger a contest immediately, allowing Starmer time to consider his position. Labour party rules stipulate that a candidate needs nominations from 20% of the parliamentary party, equating to 81 MPs, along with support from local branches and affiliated groups, to force a leadership contest. Starmer, as the incumbent leader, would automatically be on the ballot unless he chooses to step down.